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The Bob Hope Hollywood USO
The Bob Hope Hollywood USO at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is one of the oldest USO centers, believed to have been created in 1941. With one full time executive director and a team of 225 volunteers, the Bob Hope Hollywood USO happily serves more than 42,000 troops and their families each year. The Bob Hope USO center expanded its service member reach in 2006 with the opening of satellite centers at the Ontario and Palm Springs International Airports.
Located in the LAX Central Terminal, the full-service, state-of-the-art facility underwent a full makeover and tripled its size in 2003. This USO center never closes and it’s "Hollywood Canteen" snack bar offers food service at any hour of the day or night. Center visitors also can watch movies in the "Johnny Grant Mayor of Hollywood" TV lounge, relax and read in the "General Jimmy Doolittle" lounge and library, surf the Web in the Internet Center, or play Xbox in the video game area.
The Bob Hope Hollywood USO also features a Walt Disney-inspired family room, a nap room with leather recliners, restrooms complete with showers and complimentary toiletries, and a guest reception area that displays uniforms, photographs and memorabilia of the legendary Bob Hope. The staff and volunteers of the Bob Hope Hollywood USO work hard to bring the comforts of home to the many troops they serve.
Troop/Celebrity Thanksgiving Celebration
The Bob Hope Hollywood USO is dedicated to providing a special touch of home to service members, especially during the holiday season. In Nov. 2008, the third annual Troop/Celebrity Thanksgiving Celebration included a traditional feast prepared by top chefs and kitchen staff from eight of the best Los Angeles area hotels. Antonio R. Villaraigosa, the Mayor of Los Angeles, was on hand to personally greet and help serve dinner to more than 400 service members and military guests. The Bob Hope Hollywood USO took advantage of their star-studded city by treating attendees to special visits from NFL Super Bowl quarterback Vince Ferragamo, comedian Carlos Palamino, USA Chivas goal keeper Lance Parker, a Playboy Playmate and the SSX rock band.
Had it not been for the Bob Hope Hollywood USO, many of the traveling troops would not have had a Thanksgiving meal at all. In addition to a wonderful feast and great entertainment, military guests were given music CDs, new DVDs, T-shirts and posters to take with them on their journeys. Every troop, special guest and USO staff member enjoyed this event, because they were able to give thanks to one another.