A Home Away From Home: The Story of USO Kinser Volunteer Louis Rogers

When Louis Rogers first arrived in Okinawa in September 2024, he wasn’t quite sure what to expect.

“It rained every day for a week straight,” he recalled with a laugh, “and my wife warned me how small the island was.” But once he had his CAC card in hand, he walked through the doors of USO Kinser, and everything began to change.

Inside the center, he found familiar faces, warm smiles, and the beginning of what would become a life-shaping chapter.

“At that time it was Mars and Ms. Amanda. I used to come in and chill while playing video games and watching television, and they kept saying I should become a volunteer. At first I was skeptical… but they were warm and enthusiastic. Mars and her husband basically befriended me, and through them, I started volunteering.”

What began as a simple invitation soon grew into a calling.

Finding Purpose in Service Louis’s first big contribution came from the heart, and from his kitchen. “I remember when I asked if I could cook a meal for the troops. I asked what they liked and asked if I could make enchiladas. That was my first meal at the USO,” he said. “It made my day to see the troops being shown that they are appreciated and their service doesn’t go unnoticed.” From that moment, Louis became a constant source of creativity and compassion. Poker tournaments? His idea. Random acts of kindness? His specialty. Moral drops and home-cooked meals? His joy.

“I love playing poker and I said off-handedly that we should have a poker tournament. After talking to the staff, they said, ‘What do you need to make it happen?’ We got prizes, and I got knocked out in the first round on an all-in bluff,” he joked. “But to see the men and women who turned out to support it was fun and encouraging.”

But Louis’s impact goes beyond events. As a minister, mentor, and steady voice, he is someone service members trust.

“Often these young men and women just want someone to listen and give sincere advice,” he shared. “Although I’m not behind a pulpit, the Bible says to make a friend, you must show yourself friendly.”

The USO Difference Louis credits the center’s atmosphere, and the staff, for shaping his experience. “My favorite times are the morale drops and doing random acts of kindness. That’s what makes Kinser USO so special,” he said. “The programs are nice but really, it’s the genuineness of the family aspect. We all have a job to do, but we still find time to check on each other. That’s the real definition of family.”

As he hit his first 100 volunteer hours, he didn’t expect recognition. “I was so excited because it was done not expecting anything in return. I’m thankful to have the USO because it allows me to grow and learn.” The service members gave back, too. “I’m going back to school, and when they heard that, they started helping me, with math strategies or just encouraging me to finish. It showed me that someone else cares.”

A Center Built on Compassion Amanda Northern, Center Operations Manager at USO Kinser, instantly recognized Louis’s heart for service. “As a former Marine wife and military child, I understand the challenges service members face,” she shared. “From the beginning, my mission was to make the center feel like home. When Marines walk in and compliment the smell of good food or how comfortable the center feels, that’s all the gratitude I need.”

She saw that Louis embodied the same goal. “Our homemade dish events are some of my favorite moments. Volunteers like Louis make that possible, not just through cooking, but through the sense of connection they create. His kindness and willingness to give back strengthen the family environment we work so hard to build.”

Serving Something Larger Than Himself For Center Operations Specialist Takishi McClures, volunteers like Louis are the heartbeat of the mission. “The USO’s legacy of service is what inspired me to join,” he said. “Being at USO Kinser allows me to serve those who serve. Volunteers like Louis remind us why this work matters. They help us create a space where service members feel valued, supported, and at ease.”

“Smile and Don’t Forget to Breathe.” Louis’s philosophy is simple, and unforgettable. “My favorite thing to tell anyone is to smile and don’t forget to breathe. It’s effective therapy for the day-to-day challenges we all go through.” He lives that motto through everyday moments at the center: comforting lonely service members, watching over children so their parents can regroup, and offering a listening ear when someone needs it most. “I encourage others to volunteer because it’s all about the mission, and my mission is to make you feel as much at home as possible. People come on and off the island, but the family bond is never broken.”

Louis Rogers didn’t just join the USO family, he strengthened it. And because of him, countless service members walk through the doors of USO Kinser and feel exactly what he once felt: A warm smile. A safe place. A home, when home feels far away.