Photos by Eric Brandner and Sandi Moynihan

A pair of Marines check out the snacks on hand at the USO center in Terminal 2 of Raleigh-Durham International Airport on March 9.
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A pair of Marines check out the snacks on hand at the USO center in Terminal 2 of Raleigh-Durham International Airport on March 9.

USO volunteers Nan Maples, right, and Cathy Sheppard joke with Marines who just deplaned at Raleigh-Durham International Airport on March 9.
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USO volunteers Nan Maples, right, and Cathy Sheppard joke with Marines who just deplaned at Raleigh-Durham International Airport on March 9.

USO of North Carolina volunteers check the status of the next flight of Marines on March 9 at Raleigh-Durham International Airport.
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USO of North Carolina volunteers check the status of the next flight of Marines on March 9 at Raleigh-Durham International Airport.

Marines gather around USO of North Carolina volunteer JC Cunningham for a briefing after deplaning March 9 at Raleigh-Durham International Airport.
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Marines gather around USO of North Carolina volunteer JC Cunningham for a briefing after deplaning March 9 at Raleigh-Durham International Airport.

USO of North Carolina volunteer JC Cunningham looks on as Marines stream down the escalator toward baggage claim at Raleigh-Durham International Airport on March 9.
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USO of North Carolina volunteer JC Cunningham looks on as Marines stream down the escalator toward baggage claim at Raleigh-Durham International Airport on March 9.

Young Marines balance their bags as USO of North Carolina volunteer JC Cunningham walks them toward a staging area inside Raleigh-Durham International Airport on March 9.
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Young Marines balance their bags as USO of North Carolina volunteer JC Cunningham walks them toward a staging area inside Raleigh-Durham International Airport on March 9.

There wasn't a seat to be had in the USO center at Raleigh-Durham International Airport on March 9, as nearly 75 Marines headed to school at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, stopped in before catching their busses.
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There wasn’t a seat to be had in the USO center at Raleigh-Durham International Airport on March 9, as nearly 75 Marines headed to school at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, stopped in before catching their busses.

Marines packed the USO at Raleigh-Durham International Airport on March 9 as they waited for their rides to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
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Marines packed the USO at Raleigh-Durham International Airport on March 9 as they waited for their rides to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

Marines carry their bags to busses headed to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, on March 9. The Marines had spent the afternoon at the USO center inside Raleigh-Durham International Airport.
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Marines carry their bags to busses headed to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, on March 9. The Marines had spent the afternoon at the USO center inside Raleigh-Durham International Airport.

USO of North Carolina volunteer JC Cunningham briefs Marines on March 9 at Raleigh-Durham International Airport. The USO helps coordinate the Marines' transportation from the airport to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
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USO of North Carolina volunteer JC Cunningham briefs Marines on March 9 at Raleigh-Durham International Airport. The USO helps coordinate the Marines’ transportation from the airport to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

A Marine helps his fellow service members pack their gear March 9 inside a bus headed for Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. The group of Marines spent the afternoon at the USO inside Raleigh-Durham International Airport.
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A Marine helps his fellow service members pack their gear March 9 inside a bus headed for Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. The group of Marines spent the afternoon at the USO inside Raleigh-Durham International Airport.

Marines headed for school at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, count off before departing Raleigh-Durham International Airport. The group had spent the afternoon at the airport's USO center.
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Marines headed for school at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, count off before departing Raleigh-Durham International Airport. The group had spent the afternoon at the airport’s USO center.

USO of North Carolina volunteer Shannon Glazer addresses Marines who are headed to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
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USO of North Carolina volunteer Shannon Glazer addresses Marines who are headed to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

RALEIGH, North Carolina–One Marine found a power strip to charge multiple devices. Another found a box of Krispy Kreme donuts. Both reacted like it was Christmas.

“Marine Wednesdays” are a big deal for the USO of North Carolina center at Raleigh-Durham International Airport. A stream of young service members arrive throughout the day and to wait for their 2.5-hour bus ride to Camp Lejeune.

There were Marines everywhere on this Wednesday: at the snack bar, in the recliners, laying in the middle of the floor of the computer room.

Back in the terminal, USO of North Carolina volunteer JC Cunningham coordinates the Marines’ arrival, their bag storage, their trip to the center and calls the bus company when it’s time for the pickup.

On this day, he was assisted by fellow USO of North Carolina volunteers Nan Maples, Cathy Sheppard and Shannon Glazer, who took turns signing the Marines in, watching their bags and sending them off. Here’s Glazer, saying goodbye to the Marines:

You can send a message of support and thanks directly to service members via the USO’s Campaign to Connect. Your messages will appear on screens at USO locations around the world.