'They're a godsend': USO provides respite for U.S. troops in transition at Sea-Tac airport

WASHINGTON — The military community is really woven throughout western Washington, with tens of thousands selflessly serving our nation in Pierce, Snohomish, Island, Kitsap Counties, and beyond.

While the government pays their salaries, it's often their neighbors and local non-profits that support them and their families. There is a tiny army of volunteers who care for our service members at the USO Northwest Center at Sea-Tac airport.

The vast majority who fly in and out of this airport have no idea that the USO is there providing space, food, and loving care for service members and veterans alike.

The USO Northwest is tucked away on the mezzanine at the airport, which is a respite for military travelers and their families and a muster point for those departing for a new duty station. These nights are called flight nights.

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One by one, service members show their ID and check into the USO, where a volunteer gives them a quick rundown of what’s available and expected of them, along with the keys to them making their flight, which may be five, ten, even 18 to 20 hours away.

“We’re gonna do a briefing for you at 12:30, all the ins and outs of your flight and check-in process OK,” said Diana Kain while putting a temporary bracelet on the service member’s wrist to show they’ve checked in. Sea-Tac airport is the gateway for all service members with orders to serve in East Asia.

They arrive here at all hours of the day and night from their home airports or the last base they were stationed at to move on to the next one.

“Going to Guam, Okinawa, Japan, Korea,” said Raymond Cruz, a volunteer and Vietnam veteran. Routine for the experienced but not for those fresh out of boot camp.

One young man responded, ‘Yes, ma’am to every tidbit Kain offered while checking him in, his arms loaded with duffle bags he carried through the airport to the USO Northwest.

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“It’s like they’ve never been on an airplane, and it’s surprising how many have never been to an airport and are lost by all of it,” said Cruz. Cruz said one young man told him he’d never been on an escalator before as Cruz checked in his luggage one night.

Trying to navigate all of these new things can be overwhelming, so that is why Cruz, Kain, and other volunteers go out of their way to make them all feel at home and fully informed.

“Their command doesn’t give them information, but we have it,” said Kain, who prides herself on doing more than just guiding them to their flight. “They have a longer layover than normal, and I would love for them to come and get a little pampered,” she explained.

Kain gave KOMO News a tour of the almost 8,000 square foot space, shaped like a U. Guests move from the check-in desk to luggage check and then the dining room, bunk room with ten beds, and a huge living room space full of Lazy Boy recliners.

“They have so much to do here, from the theater in the back to the family room, which is a godsend because I have a little one,” said Alyssa Stang. She and her now husband, Joshua, met while they were both stationed in Okinawa.

She left the Navy when their son Miles was born in 2021, but her husband is still on active duty and is now headed to his new post in Japan. The family unit arrived a good 18 hours before that flight, taking them to Japan, so they headed straight to the USO.

“It’s just like a huge relief off our shoulders,” said Steng. There’s plenty to eat, from hot dogs and peanut butter sandwiches to doughnuts, all kinds of snacks, coffee, and soft drinks. Everything in the USO is either donated or purchased through donations.

“I had a donation tonight in the mail for $20,” said Don Leingang, the executive director. Leingang was a Navy pilot, and when he retired after 24 hours, he came to work for the USO Northwest.

That was 16 years ago, and he said he still remembers a small donation he got in the mail just a few months into his new position.

“This lady wrote to me, and she said I met my husband 55 years ago at a USO dance, and we spent time together. He’s now passed away, and I’m writing you a check so you can take care of the military,” he recalled, tears welling up in his eyes.

So moved by her letter, Leingang said he immediately called her on the phone. “And I told her you don’t know me, but I just wanted you to know how much I appreciate your check,” said Leingang. He then asked people around at the time what amount they thought was written on that check.

“$10,000? $100,000? It was for $7 because that’s what she could afford. She could afford more than five, but she couldn’t afford 10. She gave $7,” said Leingang, his voice cracking and eyes still filling with tears.

Regardless of the amount of any donation, every dollar truly makes a dent, and every volunteer truly cares about making life easier in any way they can for our military, currently serving or retired.