USO Volunteer of the Year Award

Angela Lockamy - United States USO Volunteer of the Quarter

With more than three years of volunteer experience at the Fort Hood USO, Angela Lockamy has set an example for other volunteers to emulate. Without her volunteer efforts, the Fort Hood USO would not be able to reach as many soldiers as it serves.

Angela has taken on the task of learning all aspects of the Mobile Canteen, and is lovingly referred to as the “Canteen Queen.” She has taken the Mobile Canteen to support soldiers in motor pools, field locations and at the USO center. When Vice President Cheney visited Fort Hood, Angela gathered supplies, snacks, and coffee with less than 24 hours notice to support more 8,000 service members awaiting his arrival. Often with little or no help, Angela can roll out the Mobile Canteen and support hundreds of soldiers at a time.

Angela also has spent nearly 90 hours in the last three months supporting inbound and outbound flights at the air terminal and worked in the center on holidays when no one else could make it. Angela always has a smile on her face and treats soldiers like they are her own children. Congratulations to Angela Lockamy for being the USO U.S. Volunteer of the Quarter!

David Fletcher - Pacific Region USO Volunteer of the Quarter

USO Pacific’s Volunteer of the Quarter is David Fletcher, a volunteer at the Fleet Landing USO in Sasebo, Japan. A volunteer for almost three years, David truly is concerned about ensuring the needs of the military are met at the USO.

As a full-time civilian employee on base, David works a 40-hour per week and still finds the time and motivation to support the USO. He secures supplies when the center is in need, assists in training new volunteers and helps with general maintenance and upkeep at the center. Recently, David installed a shelf to elevate internet equipment, freeing up space for an additional computer in the center and also preventing any potential damage to the equipment. David shares his positive USO experiences with others, and recruits many of the center’s new volunteers.

Further demonstrating his generosity and devotion to the USO, David regularly volunteers to work holidays so office staff can have the day off. He posts his cell phone number and encourages others to call if a volunteer is needed or if anyone has a question. USO Sasebo and USO Pacific are honored to count David as one of their volunteers.

Jonathan Megeath - Southwest Asia USO Volunteer of the Quarter

USO Southwest Asia is pleased to recognize Jonathan Megeath as its Volunteer of the Quarter. Megeath is a volunteer at the newly-opened USO center in Balad, Iraq. He has stepped in as a crucial volunteer in this short-staffed center, and his presence has allowed for the center to operate smoothly and remain open when staff members are away.

An active duty Army Sergeant, Megeath has clocked more than 400 hours in the USO since its opening in February 2008, while maintaining his position with the military as a C-Ram mechanic. He has taken the time to learn how the center operates, and though he’s never scheduled to work, he shows up every day and remains at the center as long as he can. He even worked an overnight party for 12 personnel in his company!

When it came to the Balad USO’s Sunday Night BBQ event, Megeath helped gather food, request supplies, cook, and clean up afterward. Recently, he found and painted a new bookshelf for the center’s lounge area to store games and video equipment. As USO Balad director Shari Jenson says, “People often joke that Jonathan works for the USO but volunteers for the Army!”

In an area where the USO staff is spread thin, Sgt. Megeath has emerged as a vital member of the USO team. His great personality and efforts will be missed when he returns to the United States.

Melissa Parkins - Europe's USO Volunteer of the Quarter

Melissa Parkins demonstrated her dedication to the USO and our men and women in uniform earlier this year, when she stepped in to run Vicenza USO for a month while the center director was on emergency leave. This would be no small task for any volunteer, but Melissa traveled to Italy from the United States to help out!

Melissa volunteered with the USO for three years while her husband was stationed in Vicenza, Italy. Having returned to the U.S., Melissa immediately volunteered to go back to Vicenza when her help was needed. While in charge of the center, Melissa ensured the center provided uninterrupted service to the military community, most notably overseeing ongoing projects leading up to the relocation and subsequent grand opening of the USO center. She initiated new and improved means of utilizing technology within the center, spanning from setting up a Cyber Café to programming plasma televisions and overseeing the installation of four DSL lines.

Melissa’s positive attitude and genuine concern for the welfare of service members have earned her the nickname “Mama Mel.” She often arrived to open the center at 11:00am and remained until closing at 10:00pm. Her professionalism, enthusiasm, and dependability made her a true asset to the center and the region. USO Europe is honored to recognize Melissa Parkins as its Volunteer of the Quarter.

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