Tony's Take
  • Blog
  • About
  • Contact

Serving Others

10/26/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
An opportunity presented itself to fill in for another volunteer on an overnight shift at the USO-NC Center at RDU and, as I've done this before, jumped at the chance.  The usually quiet time in the hustle and bustle of each day in the Center would provide me with an opportunity to do some catching up on my reading and spend some time in reflecting on my present and future.  As often happens when  serving with the USO-NC, the amount of time that I actually spend focused on myself is reduced as again and again I am amazed at the selflessness and heroism of our military and their families.

We have two 'sleep-overs' in the Center tonight, both leaving on early flights.  One of the services we do provide by remaining open 24-7 is providing a place of comfort and privacy for our heroes and their families, especially when they are either forced to or choose to spend the night.  The recliners we have provide a comfortable place to sleep, aided by the pillows and blankets we give them.  One time a woman arrived from a late night flight, walking in the door of the Center about 1 AM (0100 to those of you who have served) very stressed about having her husband drive up here from Fayetteville to pick her up.  I suggested she call him and tell him to stay home until after the morning rush and that she relax and get some rest.  I then fixed her a whole wheat bagel and some chamomile tea; within a few moments after that she was sound asleep awakening at 5:30 when her husband called to say he was about 10 minutes from the airport (he chose to leave before the morning rush from the South of Raleigh).  She stopped to thank me for the service I provided and her words meant more to me than any other because of the service she provided to our country (I checked our guest log after she'd left and discovered she was a retired General).

Time does move slowly on the night shift here at the Center (didn't do so as I recall when working as a nurse in the ED at Tampa General!), but that's a good thing.  It is a real pleasure to serve and it is often a lot of fun as well.  If you're interested in finding out what I'm talking about, try calling the USO-NC Center at (919) 840-0941 and ask how you can become involved.  We can always use more volunteers and I guarantee that you'll get more than you give. 


0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Photo Business

    Author

    Former submarine sailor, paramedic and nurse who journeys toward the horizon ever hopeful, though at times less sure, of reaching that far place.  

    Archives

    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    September 2019
    May 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    November 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    November 2015
    August 2015
    May 2015
    March 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013

    Categories

    All
    Anniversary
    Band Of Brothers
    Business
    Cancer
    Cats
    Cat Theology
    Christ Mas
    Christ-mas
    Civil Rights
    COVID-19
    Dr. Martin Luther King
    Equine Assisted Psychotherapy
    Faith
    Family
    Gethsemane
    Grace
    Harborreins
    Heroes
    Hope
    Life And Death
    Lynch Syndrome
    Military
    New Year
    Orphans
    Our Children's Place
    Overlooked Victim Of Crime
    Palm Sunday
    Peaceful Protest
    Photography
    Post Traumatic Stress
    Power Of Words
    Prejudice
    Prison
    Protest
    Racism
    Second Chances
    Struggle
    The Corrall
    Theology
    Time
    Triple Fork Creek
    Uncertaintly
    Unemployment
    Unsung Heroes
    USO NC
    USO-NC
    VAMC Durham
    Veteran Suicide
    Wetland Conservation
    Wonder
    Yoga Warrior

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly