SEATTLE, WA -
USO Northwest's (USO-NW) flagship center at the Sea-Tac International Airport will resume operations in support of deploying military, with the first group of servicemen and women set to arrive on July 6 at 8:00 p.m. USO-NW leaders and volunteers, including board member and local media personality Tami Michaels, will be on-hand to greet the guests.
The Sea-Tac USO Center, which suspended operations in March due to COVID-19, has served more than 750,000 service members and their families since opening its doors in 2015.
"We are looking forward to resuming operations following the Independence Day weekend, in honor of the men and women who serve our country," said Don Leingang, USO-NW Executive Director. "We know how important this lounge is to our military members and their families as a rest area and place to connect. We've spent the past few months focusing on how we can keep offering these amenities while ensuring the safety and comfort of our brave servicemen and women."
In addition to modifying programmatic and service delivery, USO-NW is also implementing several measures to mitigate transmission risks to all guests, including touchless check-in, distance markers to ensure social distancing, and securing the areas of the center where these guidelines cannot be enforced.
The USO Center, which is outfitted with the original teakwood decking from the World War II Battleship, USS Colorado (BB-45), has been widely supported by community members and volunteers. The 100+ year old teakwood decking was restored to her former glory thanks to dedicated efforts of two current USO-NW Sea-Tac volunteers, Ed Giboney and Dan Miller.
Giboney and Miller-both former military members-spent days restoring the teakwood that rightly adorns the floor at the Sea-Tac USO Center as a tribute to the men who served on her decks and to welcome the next generation of heroes to the center. Both veterans plan to be on-hand to receive the first group of guests on July 6.
Before the pandemic, the Sea-Tac USO Center was the busiest USO airport center in the United States, serving more than 143,000 traveling service members and their families every year. Thanks to the dedicated support of over 300 volunteers, the Sea-Tac USO Center is one of only eight USO centers worldwide that is open 24/7/365.
The Sea-Tac USO Center is accessible to all military guests, whether or not they are traveling. Media members are welcome to attend the July 6, 8:00 p.m. event to commemorate the first group of guests entering the Sea-Tac USO Center.
WHERE:
USO Northwest Sea-Tac Center
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
17801 International Blvd, Mezzanine Level
WHEN:
Monday, July 6, 2020 at 8:00 pm
CONTACT:
Gabe Bowman
+1 (360) 951-2860 (mobile)
