USO highlights the importance of year-round support for troops

Navy Midshipman Andrew Brunsting sat at the airport Sunday for nearly seven hours waiting for his flight home to Nebraska for Christmas. As uncomfortable as that sounds, his time at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport always has been pleasant ? a sharp contrast to a serviceman?s daily rigors.

He and other service members get a respite from the hardships of training in separate lounges provided year-round at the airport by the United Service Organizations: A flat-screen TV, Xbox gaming console, recliners, food and phones are all available.