RDU Airport, NC – This holiday season, members of the military and their families will have a special place to relax in Raleigh-Durham International Airport’s Terminal 2. Archer Western Contractors, the general contractor for the Terminal 2 construction project, is underwriting a temporary USO Center located in the ticketing lobby of the airport’s newest terminal. The facility will open Friday, Nov. 20 and will close on Jan. 6, 2010.

“During the holiday season, the number of military men and women and their families traveling through RDU nearly triples compared to other times of the year,” said Michael Langley, director of the USO at RDU. “Often, military members arrive at RDU hours before their scheduled departure because they take buses from their military bases to the airport. Thanks to RDU and Archer Western’s generosity, those traveling through Terminal 2 during the holidays will have a place to relax before their flight departs.”

Like the USO Center located in Terminal 1, the Terminal 2 location will feature large screen televisions, computers, a children’s play area and a small dining area — all provided by Archer Western.

“After helping soldiers in Terminal 2 locate the USO in Terminal 1, we realized that there was a need for a Center in the new terminal for those traveling during the holidays,” said Randy Grubb, senior manager, Archer Western Contractors. “When the USO indicated that they could use a temporary facility, we began working with the Airport Authority and leasing the furniture and equipment needed to furnish it. This is just one way we can thank our troops and give back to our community.”

A permanent USO Center will open when Terminal 2 is completed in early 2011. The 3,200 sq. ft. Center will be more than twice the size of the USO Center located in Terminal 1.

RDU, in partnership with USO North Carolina, opened its first Center in August 2004. Since that time, the Center has welcomed more than 125,000 military service men, women and their families.

A ceremony marking the opening of the temporary USO Center in Terminal 2 will take place at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 20. The USO North Carolina Color Guard will present the colors at the event, which will take place in the ticketing lobby of Terminal 2.

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