Celebrating Nine Years of Service: Dalia’s Journey with USO Japan

By Katherine Lopez

Meet Dalia, a USO staff member whose journey with the USO in Japan has been nothing short of incredible. For over nine years, Dalia has dedicated her time and service to her local military community in Japan – and it all began on her very first day at USO Yokosuka, where she was warmly welcomed by Maggie, the USO center manager.

Dalia is a military spouse of 19 years, who married her husband the day after he graduated boot camp. When they were stationed overseas in Japan, Dalia began looking for a place to fill her time and give back to the community she was a member of – and that is when she found the USO. After Maggie’s welcome to the USO Yokosuka Center, Dalia was introduced to Jeremy Lattimer, a USO volunteer who guided her through her orientation.

“Jeremy was fantastic – super engaging and informative. He really made me feel at home,” Dalia remembered.

From the moment Dalia first got to work with the USO, she realized her passion for supporting the people who serve and their families. | Photo credit Courtesy Photo

Maggie didn’t waste any time getting Dalia involved, immediately putting her to work on a data project that involved transferring signatures of visiting service members from paper books into a spreadsheet to track visitor numbers and commands. This hands-on experience ignited Dalia’s passion for the work of supporting the people who serve and their families, and before she knew it, she was volunteering for various USO events. From ship homecomings to a Sesame Street live performance, and even a concert featuring the Far East Movement, it was during all of these events that Dalia realized she had truly found her calling.

Looking back on her nine years with USO, Dalia said: “I have so many favorite memories!”

One that stood out was her first leadership conference in Orlando, Florida.

“We had a scavenger hunt where the plot was that our regional vice president [at the time], CK, had been kidnapped! It was such a fun way to connect with team members from all over.”

She also has enjoyed Thanksgiving and Christmas lunches at the Centers, where service members would share how the food reminded them of home.

“Those gatherings really brought that feeling of home to me, too,” she said.

Dalia has worn many hats during her time at USO Japan, and when asked what motivated her to explore different roles Dalia shared something incredibly meaningful.

“The USO gives me a sense of purpose. Knowing that my time at work, away from my family, is meaningful is incredibly fulfilling. It’s more than just a job; we’re here for the service members and their families, creating a supportive community for them.”

Being a member of the military spouse community makes Dalia’s work with the USO even more special. Not only is Dalia grateful for an organization that has supported her through her own life transitions and employment as a military spouse throughout the last 9 years, but she also has been incredibly grateful for the opportunity to serve that community through programs and services at the USO.

Dalia recalled being a new mom in San Diego and feeling a loss of community, being away from her family and support network. She felt that having a program to bring new moms together was something she was missing in her community, and she used this experience to make things better for military spouses in the future. At USO Iwakuni, Dalia has made it a priority to host a new moms event monthly to allow for a connection point for families when they need it the most. Dalia’s experience as a military spouse has helped shaped her experience at the USO, through which she can serve the very community she is also a part of.

Now, having moved from a USO volunteer to her current staff role as the center operations specialist at USO Iwakuni, Dalia loves being part of a dedicated team, noting that she has truly enjoyed the community she is now a part of, and the community she is able to serve. Dalia’s experiences reflect the strong camaraderie and friendships that thrive within the USO. As Dalia celebrates her nine-year milestone with the organization, her story is a beautiful reminder of the impact one person can have on many lives. Her dedication, passion and commitment to service truly embody the spirit of the USO, making a real difference for service members and their families stationed in Japan.

The USO’s Support for Military Families in Japan

At permanent U.S. military installations across the Indo-Pacific, including Japan, the USO has continued to be a pillar of support for military members – and their families – stationed in this region. In addition to Japan, countries such as South Korea, Guam and Hawaii are part of a massive area of responsibility that includes five nuclear-armed nations, eight of the world’s ten largest militaries, five of our nation’s seven mutual defense treaty allies and major international waterways – operating in this region is no small feat.

That is why the work of the USO, including our volunteers and staff like Dalia, are so important to service members and military families in this region. They operate USO Centers throughout the Indo-Pacific that serve as a home away from home for members of the military community overseas. Being stationed in a foreign country far from home and having to adjust to a new culture can be challenging and difficult. But having a place where military families can connect with each other and reminders of home can make all the difference in their everyday lives.

Thanks to USO team members such as Dalia, our many volunteers and the support of the American people back home, the USO helps support service members and military families in Japan and all across the globe, throughout every step of their military journey.