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Naval Health Clinic Hawaii Corpsman Earns President's Volunteer Service Award
Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii (NNS) -- Petty Officer 2nd Class (Fleet Marine Force) Uchenna Nzegwu earned the President's Volunteer Service Award, bronze level for volunteering over a 100 hours at the United Service Organizations (USO).
Nzegwu, known as "Zee," a preventive medicine technician stationed at Naval Health Clinic Hawaii, started volunteering at the USO in 2009 at Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan. His personal experience with the USO began when he and his family had to take a category 1, space available flight from Okinawa to Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii because of a family emergency. Zee felt very distraught being a new father of twin girls who was taking his family back to the United States for the first time. The USO at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (JBPHH) was there for him and his family providing food, transportation and advice about his military career and parenthood while waiting for a flight to Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland. The more senior volunteers also gave him tips and advice on how to help his twin daughters feel calm while on the military aircraft.
"Zee" donates over eight hours a week at the USO providing service members and their families the comforts of home as they travel through JBPHH. He has assisted with countless troop movements and flawlessly managed to help feed over 1000 deploying Marines along with other USO volunteers. He's one their "star" volunteers.
"I volunteer with the USO because I remembered how the retired volunteers helped me during my family crisis. I hope that I can render help to other service members and families in the same way. I feel humbled in receiving the President's Volunteer Service Award. I plan to send the award to my mother to place in her home. My father, Lawrence Nzegwu, was a graduate of Howard Universities Masters Biology Program. When President Obama was first elected, my father, an African American in his 60s, was ecstatic. My father always wanted me to meet the President during my time as an active duty service member, and with this award I dedicate it to my dad who passed away in 2014, said "Zee".
Denise Solis, duty manager, USO Hawaii JBPHH, presented Nzegwu the award. "Petty Officer 2nd Class Nzegwu is a true asset to our organization and without individuals like him, the mission of the USO to 'strengthen America's military service members by keeping them connected to family, home and country, throughout their service to the nation' would not be possible," said Solis. Solis said that this is the last President's Volunteer Service Award for a recipient in Hawaii that will be signed by President Obama, prior to the next inauguration.
"Zee has made a positive difference in the lives of service members and families by volunteering his time at the USO Hawaii. When the Combined Federal Campaign begins next month, remember organizations such as this one needs your support whether it is through volunteering your time or by donating money," said Capt. Lynn Wheeler, commanding officer, Naval Health Clinic Hawaii.
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