USO Indo-Pacific Announces 2024 Volunteer of the Year

It was in the fall of 2020 when Joseph Principe, affectionally known as Joe, first began volunteering at USO Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER) in Anchorage, Alaska. Since that day, Joe hasn’t looked back as he has amassed over 6,000 volunteer hours in total. With a staggering 1,438.5 of his hours accrued in 2024, it is understandable why Joe was named the USO Indo-Pacific 2024 Volunteer of the Year. However, there is more to it than just the time given - it’s the passion in which he does it.

“It’s my connection to the military,” expressed Joe. “It’s a great feeling you get from meeting different people. It’s about what you are giving from your heart to it.”

USO Experience from All Perspectives

Joe’s dad served in the United States Air Force for 30 years, moving his family all around the world. It was during these times that Joe’s journey with the USO began as he remembers the organization often being there for his mom from the very beginning of his life.

“She [Joe’s mom] brought four kids to Okinawa by herself in 1961, and the USO was actually there at the airport,” explained Joe. “I was only a two-week-old infant at the time, but they were there helping my mom out we later learned.”

Having grown up during the Vietnam War, Joe recalls even seeing Bob Hope, the legendary American entertainer, perform in Guam and Okinawa. Later, Joe would go on to serve in the military himself, once again establishing familiarity with the USO and crediting the organization for much-needed support.

“I joined the U.S. military, and I used the USO several times throughout my service,” explained Joe. “I saw what the USO does for all our service members and families, so I started as a volunteer at USO Fort Drum, where I got to be the volunteer for the 10th Mountain Division deployments.”

Joe actually served in combat with the 10th Mountain Division while active duty, making the opportunity to support those soldiers as a volunteer all the more special. It was there that Joe’s journey as a proud member of the Volunteer force began.

“When I was growing up, the USO was always there for those deployed family members in Guam, the Philippines, Japan and Okinawa. When I went to the Persian Gulf, Bosnia and Kosovo and with two tours in Iraq, the USO was right there for us,” reflected Joe. “Filling the shoes as a military dependent, as a service member and now as a volunteer - giving back. Don’t forget where you started.”

Community Champion

As an Army veteran, Joe has overcome personal obstacles sustained from his time in the service. These experiences drive Joe to actively contribute to creating accommodations that foster an inclusive environment.

Joe’s contributions as a volunteer range from cleaning the JBER center to assisting at a moment’s notice. Whether he’s providing vital support during deployments, warmly welcoming newcomers to the Center or grilling delicious meals for patrons to enjoy when attending programs, Joe consistently goes above and beyond.

His inspiration? “When you see them [service members] walk out with a smile, that says it all. I am not married, and I do not have kids, but I will tell you how many kids I have – thousands of kids.”

His unwavering dedication is mostly apparent in the 49 events that he managed this year in his new role as the Special Events Volunteer. Whether it was holding the guidon on Prisoners of War (POW)/ Missing in Action (MIA) Day one year, which also happened to be the same day as the Air Force Birthday, an honor for Joe as an Air Force dependent, to a 9/11 Memorial Hike with the JBER Firefighters, some of these events serve as a few of Joe’s favorite volunteer moments.

His passion for connecting service members and families with essential resources that the USO team delivers is truly heartfelt. A true USO ambassador on JBER, Joe consistently spreads the word about the mission and actively recruits new volunteers, many citing Joe’s enthusiasm as their inspiration to start volunteering.

“Being in the center and welcoming brand-new airmen and soldiers, talking to them about our programs,” expressed Joe. “Some of them don’t even know about this place as they are just off the plane. You sit down with them and make them feel like this is their home because it is their home.”

Joe’s selflessness expands past the USO and into his local community through his acts of kindness that includes mowing neighbor’s lawns, especially those who are deployed, clearing driveways and walkways during the long Alaska winter as well as welcoming new residents. He consistently brings the base gate guards pizza or delivers a sweet surprise, like cupcakes on Christmas, citing his memories of having been in their shoes.

“It’s an amazing feeling when you give back to your community here,” stated Joe. “That’s what we do here at the USO. We all work as one. We take care of each other. It’s teamwork.”

A Year of Accolades

Earlier in 2024, Joe was presented with the President’s Volunteer Service Award (PVSA) for his unprecedented support of the USO mission.

“In the first Persian Gulf War, I bought a medallion from the USO show we went to,” said Joe. “Who would ever think that I would be a volunteer? That medallion is in my shadow box with my lifetime achievement award.”

His PVSA was soon followed by Joe’s announcement as the region’s 2024 Q4 Volunteer of the Quarter, joining other bright and impactful individuals throughout the Indo-Pacific:

2024 Q1 Volunteer of the Quarter: Cortney McCurry, USO Singapore

2024 Q2 Volunteer of the Quarter: Ira and Delania Wagner, USO Fort Wainwright in USO Alaska

2024 Q3 Volunteer of the Quarter: Nainoa Ka’iama, USO Fort Shafter in USO Hawaii

2024 Q4 Volunteer of the Quarter: Joe Principe, USO JBER in USO Alaska

Through the actions of these dedicated men and women, the USO is able to provide appreciation, hospitality and support to service members and their families at centers, with outreach support and through expeditionary efforts throughout the world.

“In life, I started giving back, and giving back to the service members means everything to me. There are no awards, coins or certificates that you can give me. It’s the feeling that you are giving back to your service members and that you were once in those shoes as a military dependent and as a service member,” stated Joe.

His latest recognition? Joe was recently named the USO 2024 Overseas Volunteer of the Year. He joins Candace Dunning from USO Delaware, the 2024 Stateside Volunteer of the Year, as the two honorees of the Janice K. Emmert Volunteer of the Year for the entire organization. This award honors the individuals who have been crucial to the USO mission and making a real impact on America’s service members and their families, whether within the country or across the world.

“One of the highest honors I have ever achieved,” Joe tearfully expressed. “It could not have been achieved if it were not for my military experience and the military service members whom I have touched.”

Volunteer with the USO

Joe’s remarkable commitment to supporting service members and their families embodies the values of USO Volunteers.

If you are interested in welcoming guests, packing and delivering snack bags, helping with various programs or more in support of those sacrificing for our country, becoming a USO volunteer may be perfect for you! Learn how you can begin your journey here.