Friday Dec 2, 2016

"Celebrating USO Northwest!"

Donald Leingang

CDR USN Ret. Director, USO - Northwest

Introduced by: Bob Holert

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Commander Donald Leingang, Director of US) Northwest, will help us celebrate and appreciate our troops, be they members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard or National Guard. And he will discuss how USO Northwest, with locations at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Portland International Airport and JBLM (Joint Base Lewis-McChord), supports these troops 24 hours a day, every day of the year. USO Northwest lives up to the USO mission statement – “The USO strengthens America’s military service members by keeping them connected to family, home and country, throughout their service to the nation.” You will also hear about  the people and companies that are instrumental in supporting USO Northwest and thus support the men, women and families of our Armed Forces!

 

USO Northwest (USO NW)

As a nonprofit, congressionally chartered, private organization, the USO Northwest relies solely on the generosity of individuals, organizations, foundations and corporations to support its activities. The USO Northwest is not a part of the U.S. government and does not receive any government funding, but the USO is recognized by the Department of Defense, Congress and the President of the United States.

Supporting America’s troops was the first mission of the USO. Over time, the USO has refined its focus, developing new programs and services to meet the ever-changing needs of our military members and their families.

Today, the USO Northwest continues to support America’s military service members and their families throughout the states of Washington and Oregon. USO NW provides programs and services designed to meet the unique needs of today’s military and their families. With the help of more than 400 volunteers, USO Northwest serves over 650,000 military and their families annually. USO Northwest provides support to those who need it the most including military deploying overseas and returning home, military families, wounded warriors and their families and families of the fallen.

About the Speaker

Commander Donald Leingang is a northwest native and retired as the Executive Officer at the Naval Station Everett. A helicopter pilot and former Commanding Officer of Navy Recruiting District Seattle, Don's distinguished 24-year Naval career includes leadership positions at the U.S. Naval Academy, Director of Air Warfare, Washington, D.C., and as the Operations Officer at Commander, Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet. He is a graduate of Oregon State University where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management in 1984. In 2006, Leingang graduated from Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island where he earned his Master of Arts degree in National Security and Strategic Studies. He reported onboard Naval Station Everett as Executive Officer in June 2006 with immediate duties organizing the Seattle Seafair. In 2008, Leingang retired from the Navy and immediately began duties as the Executive Director of the USO of the Puget Sound Area (USOPSA). During his military career, Leingang received the Meritorious Service Medal (3), the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (6), the Navy Achievement Medal, as well as numerous unit and service awards. Don, his wife Misty and their daughter Victoria live in Renton.