Photo By Spc. Devin McReynolds | United Service Organization volunteer Alicia Webb speaks about her experiences...... read more read more
Ontario, Calif. —For United Service Organization volunteer, Alicia Webb, a typical shift may be spent working through a list of chores at the facility. She and other volunteers clean and maintain operations at the Ontario International Airport USO throughout the week.
According to Webb, the number of servicemembers that come through the USO fluctuates daily.
“Oh, it just depends,” Webb said. “Sometimes it could be just a couple that are changing flights or have a layover. Sometimes it could be, gosh, a couple hundred or even 1,500 if there is troop movement or training.”
Regardless of the group size, Webb welcomes servicemembers across the military branches with open arms.
“The purpose of the USO is just to let the military know how much they’re cared for,” Webb said. “We want to feed them and give them a comfortable place to relax while they’re waiting to go wherever they’re going.”
A USO volunteer of over three years, Webb says her connection to the military is her inspiration.
“I’m a military mom of an Army Ranger who’s been in almost eight years, and he is busy with everything that he does,” Webb said. “I just love what the military has done for him, and what he has done for our country. And it just makes me want to give back because I see the need.”
Like many traveling servicemembers, Army Sgt. Paul Jones, a combat engineer with 58th Engineer Company, was visiting the Ontario USO on permanent change of station orders. He’d been to several USOs throughout his multi-day travel to his new duty station in Ft. Irwin, California.
“During this PCS transition, at every airport I’ve been to, I’ve always made it a point to go to them during layovers when I needed to use WiFi or get food and snacks.”
Despite visiting several USO facilities during his PCS from Korea to California, Jones said some things are universal.
“You can find friendly staff and other servicemembers at every USO,” he said.
According to Webb, providing snacks, refreshments and a friendly smile is a common occurrence in her work, but some experiences leave her with meaningful memories.
“I’ll never forget one of the first times I did a troop movement and people were coming back from deployment,” said Webb. “I went around saying, ‘“I’m an Army mom and I’m proud of you. Thank you for your service and all you’ve done.’ This very huge Soldier who was maybe 18 years old was coming back, and he’s like can I have a hug? So, he’s hugging me —this big giant boy man.”
Both teary-eyed in the embrace, Webb said the Soldier revealed he wouldn’t be able to see his mom for a long time, and that he needed that hug.
“That’s why I do it,” Webb said. “I do it because I love everybody. That was an amazing moment that I won’t forget; hopefully he won’t either.”
Webb said the best part of her work is talking to troops.
“My favorite part is hearing everybody’s stories and hearing where home is,” Webb said. “Are they married? Do they have children? You know, what’s home like? Because people will mostly ask them, what do you do in the (military), but we just want to know them for who they are.”
While a standard shift may consist of cleaning and greeting at the USO, Webb said her impact is bigger than what it appears on the surface.
“With my son being in the military, he’s giving back in a way that I can’t,” Webb said. “But I can give back by serving a meal or giving a hug to someone. I hope my impact volunteering at the USO is that I make someone in the military feel loved and cared for, and just let them know that they’re supported.”
The Ontario International Airport USO in California is one of the largest USO facilities in the world, and runs primarily on a volunteer workforce. It is open 365 days a year to support servicemembers, their Families, and military retirees. For more information on the facility, visit https://california.uso.org/ontariointernationalairport.
| Date Taken: | 03.08.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 03.14.2025 17:22 |
| Story ID: | 492688 |
| Location: | ONTARIO, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 34 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, A USO Volunteer Serves with a Mother’s Heart, by SSG Brea DuBose, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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