Yesterday, the local Institute of Real Estate Management chapter held a luncheon that was a Yankee Doodle dandy. DFW USO director Rhenda White Brunner (center with IREM Dallas prez Helen Moise and ED Kristin Hiett) stirred the crowd with tales of the USO’s local efforts. IREM participates in the Serve-A-Soldier and Adopt-a-Troop programs. On March 31, IREM members will be feeding troops who will fly out of DFW on their way back to the sandbox. DFW Airport is the west coast hub for military personnel coming home for R&R; between 150-240 troops come through DFW every day to cheers from the Welcome Home A Hero volunteers.

HM1 Mercedes Simon, SFC Mark Biggins, Helen, Kristin, Scott Frech, Roxana Hammock, Maj. Graham Hoppess, and Mark Hopkins. Rhenda said one of the DFW USO efforts is United through Reading, in which deployed parents read children’s books aloud via DVD for their children to watch at home. At DFW, about 30 to 40 troops are filmed daily, then the DVD, book, and a stuffed animal or blanket are sent to the children. “Our role is to be there for them as support. We tell troops that anywhere you go in the world, the USO is your club.” To that, we say Hua!