Efforts under way to install USO at TPA
Veterans, mayor are shocked that a club is not at TIA
BY HOWARD ALTMAN
The Tampa Tribune
AND NATALIE SHEPHERD
News Channel 8
TAMPA Tampa International Airport is widely recognized as one of the best in the nation.
But there's something missing, and one local Air Force veteran is working to change that.
In a city that hosts MacDill Air Force Base and one of the busiest Veterans Affairs hospitals in the nation, there is no USO club at the airport. The USO is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving morale of the nation's armed forces; the clubs are similar to hospitality suites that many airlines offer for their frequent fliers.
"Everybody that I've spoken to about this, they say, 'What? There's no USO at Tampa International?'" said Walter T. Lamerton Jr., a Trinity real estate broker and Air Force veteran. "It's a quiet, comforting area that you can go in and get away from the hustle and bustle and sit down and relax for a moment."
Add Mayor Bob Buckhorn to the list of those surprised there is no USO club at the airport.
"I assumed there was one," said Buckhorn.
Buckhorn said he supports the idea and will "do what it takes to make it happen. So many active-duty military and their families come through the airport."
In October, Lamerton, with assistance from USO officials, began communicating with Tampa airport officials in an effort to persuade them to install a club at the airport.
Lamerton estimates the club would need to be open for 14 to 19 hours a day, seven days a week, with a full-time staff of at least three. He said the annual cost would be about $315,000.
With so many active-duty military, veterans and their families in the area, that should not be a problem, Lamerton said.
"We are asking $1 from every veteran within the counties surrounding TIA," said Lamerton. "That's about 458,000. We want to give the veteran community the freedom to give what they can."
Lamerton said he's hoping to find a receptive audience in Tampa airport's new CEO, Joe Lopano, who used to run the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, home of the largest airport USO club.
Tampa airport spokeswoman Brenda Geoghagan said space for some type of USO presence is going to be considered as part of an upcoming study to reorganize the third floor.
Lamerton said he is looking for letters of support to help convince USO officials of the interest and need for a club at the airport.
Anyone interested can contact him at 8141 Bellarus Way, Suite 101, Trinity, FL 34655.
(813) 259-7629
(813) 225-2703
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