PORT TOWNSEND — Veterans Day is always a special time to recognize the service of those in the military, but this appreciation should be year-round, according to the executive director of USO Northwest.
“This is the day that a lot of people thank veterans for their service, but you can’t forget the other 364 days of the year,” retired Navy Cmdr. Donald Leingang told an audience of about 150 people at the Port Townsend American Legion on Wednesday.
“If you ever see a military family at Applebee’s or at the mall, you should just thank them,” he said.
“If they are a wounded warrior, that thanks means more to them than almost anything they can put in their bodies to feel better.”
The American Legion Post building at 209 Monroe St. originally was the USO building in Port Townsend during World War II. A USO dance was planned after the ceremony.
The 74-year-old USO, which stands for United Service Organizations, is a nonprofit that provides services and support for veterans and current military, most recently in the form of airport facilities where traveling service members can relax between flights.
“Because of the initials, a lot of people think the USO is a government agency, but that’s not the case,” said Leingang, who was a naval aviator for 24 years.
“If I had one dollar for every person who asked me about this, I wouldn’t need to do any other fundraising.”
Leingang is especially proud of the newly established center at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, which is always open and always free for the military.
The center was partially funded by a commemorative brick program that now includes three segments and is similar to a wall of remembrance, Leingang said.
Its wood floors were salvaged from the USS Colorado, a battleship that served in World War II, and the center has the ship’s bell from the USS West Virginia, which sank at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
“There is more military here than people actually realize,” Leingang said.
“Every military service branch has a base in Washington except the Marines, and they supply the security at the [Bangor] submarine base.”
Leingang said the USO also provides services to families, including a kit for children of service members who are deployed and cannot attend family events or soccer games.
“We supply everything for children so they can get through this,” Leingang said of the kit, which includes custom postcards that children can send to their deployed parents.
“Kids often feel left behind or they are made fun of, so this package helps them get through the tough times,” he said.
Leingang mentioned one service, United Through Reading, in which a deployed soldier reads a children’s book on video, which is then sent to each child along with a copy of the book.
A few years ago, this led to a bittersweet moment.
“A soldier made a video while he was deployed in Afghanistan. Four days later, he went out on patrol and he didn’t come home,” Leingang said.
“When the chaplain arrived at his family’s house to deliver the news, the mailman arrived at the same time with the package.”
Leingang’s voice broke as he added, “I love what I do, but if I don’t get teary-eyed at least once during a presentation, it’s time for me to quit.”
Wednesday’s event drew veterans and observers of all ages and included a tribute to those missing in action, the recognition of Andy Okinczyc as Legionnaire of the Year and an offseason performance by the all-volunteer Port Townsend Summer Band, which played a selection of marches and military themes.
For many, the music was as potent as the speeches themselves.
Toward the end of the ceremony, the band played a medley of anthems from every branch of service.
When it kicked into the Marine Corps hymn, two former Marines stopped their conversations, stood at attention and greeted each other with a warm handshake and a hug.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
