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Committed Airman wins local award

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jensen Stidham
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
Shaw Air Force Base, S.C. --  Sitting at his desk, handling normal day to day work when all of sudden there is a knock at the door. The senior NCO is told the group commander wants to see him about some recent events that took place. Immediately his mind starts racing. He walks down the hall, knocks on the door and walks in.

"Shut the door," the commander says abruptly. "Sit down."

He started to speak when there was a loud knock on the door. The commander was upset. The door opens and in walk military leaders and several Sumter chamber of commerce members.

"What in the world is going on," he thought.

Then everyone in the room started to smile.

It was all just a well thought-out prank to inform Master Sgt. John Yassu, 20th Maintenance Group first sergeant, of his nomination for the 2013 Military Citizen of the Year award for his community involvement and volunteer work.

"It was a special moment," said the Reno Nev. native. "It felt good to know that the senior leaders and the community leaders took the time to organize and put together such a wonderful surprise."

Throughout 2013, Yassu volunteered hundreds of hours with the local women's shelter, Sumter Mission Outpost, Salvation Army and World Orphans organization. Yassu and his wife also actively volunteer at their church Alice Drive Baptist, Sumter, S.C.

"John is probably one of the leading Christian men in society and he is always ready to lend a hand to somebody in need," said Thomas Pena, Sumter Mission Outreach administrator.

"When my wife and I first got here we wanted to find a way to give back," said Yassu. "We realized there were so many opportunities within Sumter to get involved."

Not only has he spent countless hours of his time in the community, Yassu has also taken an active part in several Team Shaw events. During his time served as chair of the Shaw Diamond Council Ways and Means committee, he developed and grew fundraising efforts to include 22 private organizations, 900 volunteers, 7200 volunteer hours, and $60,000 to be used for Shaw morale programs.

Although most Airmen may not start volunteering until after they have joined the Air Force, Yassu has been volunteering ever since he was a child.

"Every holiday my dad would bring us to the local missions and we would donate to the homeless shelter," said the youngest of eight siblings. "My father always instilled upon us that we needed to take care of those who have nothing."

Just like his own dad, the father of three has started teaching his children the selfless act of volunteering.

"I'm trying to be the same role model that my father was to me," said Yassu. "One night, during the holidays, I knew the Salvation Army needed an extra body to ring the bell out in front of K-mart. So I said to my daughters `lets go!' and they kind of begrudgingly responded `why?' I said `because you're not doing anything, you're playing your video games, let's go give an hour of our time to the community.' Towards the end of the hour I explained to them how they were helping people in need because of the donations they were collecting. I could see on their faces that it clicked and I believe my daughters are on the right path to making society better."

On top of all the volunteer work, the 17 year active duty master sgt. has managed to maintain a 3.8 GPA towards a degree in human services so that when the day comes where he is no longer serving in the enlisted core, he will still be able to serve his community at a professional level.

"I'm not giving myself the option of failure," said Yassu. "Once you start short selling yourself and telling yourself why you can't do things, you won't do them. Once I commit to something, I don't try and rationalize myself out of it or make excuses, I just do it."

Some might ask how in the world one man can balance so many things.

"The key is having a strong, supportive spouse," said the husband of seven years. "My wife is the strongest part of my life."

"You've got your family, work and school but when it comes to volunteering, it's all about `Do I have an hour here or there? Everybody has an hour, either wake up an hour early or stay up an hour late. I don't know how I could ever not serve anymore because even if it's just that one individual, if you can impact that one person's life then I think that gives a little more meaning to yours."