EDITORIAL HOPE CENTRAL A GREAT NAME FOR A GREAT CAUSE.

BOB Hope has spent six decades supporting American troops stationed abroad. Now, the outfit he has proudly represented, the United Service Organizations, will be supporting the troops right here in Los Angeles.

And it will be doing it in Hope's name.

Monday marked the official activation of the Bob Hope Hollywood USO facility at Los Angeles International Airport. The center will provide service to National Guard troops who are protecting LAX and to those heading overseas to serve in the war on terrorism.

The center's purpose is to ease the burdens imposed on the nation's reserve troops, who were only recently working civilian jobs, and now find themselves called to duty. Their lives have changed even more dramatically than most since Sept. 11, as have their families'.

The LAX facility will help out military personnel with various services, including foreign-language translation, currency conversion and transportation. It will also provide support for the troops' spouses and children.

The center couldn't be better named.

Few people have given as generously to the men and women who protect America than Bob Hope. He has been the voluntary spokesman for the nation's gratitude, working tirelessly to let American troops know that they haven't been forgotten and that their sacrifice is greatly appreciated.

That message of Hope couldn't be more timely than it is now.