Man With Plan For USO at TIA Reaches Out To Special Operations Command Honcho

Posted Oct 28, 2011 by Howard Altman

Updated Oct 28, 2011 at 08:59 PM

When it comes to bringing a USO club to Tampa International Airport, New Port Richey real estate agent Walter Lamerton is the man with the plan who will tell anyone who listens the folly of having an airport in this town without one.

On Oct. 20, he brought his idea to the man with an even bigger plan – the one to kill Osama bin Laden.

As a guest of the TECO Flag Officer Reception at the TECO Plaza Atrium in Tampa, Lamerton and his wife Susan briefed Adm. William McRaven, commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, about the USO club plan.

According to the Lamerton’s, the plan was so well received that McRaven’s wife Georgeann said she would assist in recruiting volunteers.

Lamerton said TIA has agreed to host a USO club on the airport’s second floor and that the national USO will likely approve the plan within the next few weeks.

In the meantime, Lamerton has a number of up-coming events to help raise funds and awareness.

If you are planning to attend the upcoming AirFest 2011, Nov. 5 and Nov. 6 at MacDill Air Force Base, swing by Hangar 3, to help register support.

“Ron and Susann Jarabak have organized this and indicated we should be able to register about 8,000 to 10,000 throughout the weekend,” according to the Lamertons.

Congregation Kol Ami’s Social Action Committee, in conjunction with AT&T Veterans FRG, will be adopting 11 soldiers.  They are hosting a family gathering for letter writing and packaging up goodies to send overseas on Nov. 6 at 12:30 p.m.  Project Tampa USO has been invited to set up a table for registering new supporters. The address is 3919 Moran Rd., Tampa. Call (813) 962-6338 for more information.

Bell Shoals Baptist Church will host its Bi-Annual Veterans Appreciation Celebration Service on Nov. 10 at 7p.m.  Project Tampa USO has been invited to set up a table there too.  You are also invited to attend.

Project Tampa USO has also been invited to participate in the Veterans Day celebration, 4 p.m., at Mease Manor in Dunedin.

Please RSVP to walter@lovebuyingflorida.com if you would like to participate.

Committees Development for Project Tampa USO at TIA:

If you would like to be a committee member on any of these committees please contact Walter Lamerton at walter@lovebuyingflorida.com by email. 

There may be opportunities to Chair or Co-Chair these committees as well. 

The Board of Directors will review the committees. 

Please provide a one paragraph bio if you have not already done so and indicate any non-profit group affiliation.  Available committees are: Web Development, Volunteers, Communications, Supporter Registration, Governmental Affairs, Facilities Committee, Events, Community Relations, Military Relations and Fundraising Development.

Admiral William McRaven, left, and Walter Lamerton
discuss Project USO at Tampa International Airport.
SUSAN LAMERTON