‘It's Our Job to Take Care of Everything': USO of North Carolina Honor Support Team Helps Families of the Fallen in Transit

By Sandi Moynihan and Eric Brandner

RALEIGH, North Carolina—They’re an invaluable resource at a military family’s worst moment.

“It’s an emotional time for these families and its an emotional thing for those who witness these missions down on the tarmac,” Vic Holdren said.

Holdren, a veteran and long-time USO volunteer, is a member of the of USO of North Carolina Honor Support Team, which supports, honors and assists families of the fallen and military escorts traveling through Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU).

“It’s our job to take care of everything here at the airport [for families of the fallen],” said Joe Donnelly, the co-leader of the Honor Support Team at the Raleigh airport.

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. The team assists in ceremonies on the tarmac, guides military escorts and families through the terminal, answers questions and provides a quiet place for all involved to relax. Founded in 2006 by retired Col. Ken Tigges, the team has been adopted at other USO of North Carolina locations and is always on call to support dignified transfers.