ARCENT officer named local Military Citizen of the Year

Published Feb. 24, 2014
By Airman 1st Class Jonathan Bass
20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- For one Shaw lieutenant colonel, life could have gone an entirely different way had he only taken a step left instead of right.

Lt. Col. Donald Korpi, U.S. Army Central Public Affairs Forward deputy chief, was named the Jones Chevrolet/L.A. Leasing Military Citizen of the Year award winner by the Greater Sumter Chamber of Commerce in January 2014.

Had one teacher not taken him under his wing, things might have gone entirely different.

"As a teenager growing up in New York, it was very easy to find myself in trouble," said Korpi. "Honestly, I had a bad attitude most of the time and many of my family members, friends and teachers had just about given up on me."

Korpi's teacher was Robert Flinn, a history teacher for the Sachem Central School District in Lake Ronkonkoma, N.Y. Flinn noticed that time and time again, Korpi demonstrated an intellect far superior to his peers, despite his tendency to act out.

"I recall one incident in 10th grade, in which [Korpi] got into major trouble," said Flinn. "I got so mad at him for the foul-up that I brought him into my classroom after school and chewed him out like a drill sergeant might do to a new recruit."

Korpi was on the verge of tears after that mentoring session, said Flinn.

"Almost immediately following that I went to the principal and pleaded his case," said Flinn. "The principal gave him a reduced sentence for the infraction. [Korpi's] high school record is probably a mixed bag of successes and failures, but I like to think when properly motivated he performed at a high level."

It was Flinn's mentorship that encouraged and motivated him to volunteer and give back to others, said Korpi.

Korpi started volunteering as a young soldier at his first duty assignment in Hawaii, back in 1987.

"At the time I felt like I could be helpful in the community and at church with the kids and young adults," said Korpi. "So I started working with Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Boy Scouts and driving a church van picking up kids and disabled adults."

Recalling those days in Hawaii, Korpi sees how volunteering has had an effect on his military career.

"It allowed me to better understand people and taught me to really appreciate what the military has done for my family and me," said Korpi. "It made me a better leader, and more importantly, a better follower due to the interactions with those outside the military community."

"With the exception of my own children, I can think of no other person whose accomplishment and achievements give me great satisfaction," said Flinn. "During the course of my 30 plus year career I estimate that I worked with over 3,800 students, none of them have given me more to be proud of than [Korpi]."

Korpi serves as a mentor at Alice Drive Baptist Church, Sumter, S.C., as well as a junior high basketball referee. He is a member of the Sumter Masonic Lodge, the Scottish Rite, and the Shrine Temple. He spends, on average, 20 hours a month outreaching to hospitals and clinics, organizing fundraisers, speaking at engagements, and more. He is a member of the Shrine Clown unit, where he visits children in hospitals, and volunteers at the annual circus, as well as providing services at childrens' birthday parties and events.

Korpi's advice to young service members looking to start volunteering is to get involved and look for opportunities to help others.

"Make a choice to have an impact on someone," said Korpi. "We all have talents. Be a part of the communities where we live and work."