Freedom First employees recognized for going Above and Beyond

  • Published
  • By Chief Master Sgt. Susan Ferguson
  • 22nd Force Support Squadron superintendent
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  Recently, the Chiefs' Group had the pleasure of recognizing and coining two of the many special individuals from the Freedom First Credit Union; Cindy Pawlak the marketing director and Irene Post the lending supervisor.

The Chiefs' Group coined both members and passed on a sincere thank you for their outstanding work in supporting our Airmen. Chief Master Sgt. Susan Ferguson, 22nd Force Support Squadron superintendent, Chief Master Sgt. Tom Thackrah, 22nd Aircraft Maintenance superintendent, and Chief Master Sgt. Mike Bolden, 22nd Security Forces Squadron superintendent, gathered all the employees from the Federal Credit Union together and in front of their supervisor and the FCU Manager, Ronda Posch, thanked them each with a coin and talked about Ms. Pawlak and Ms. Post's accomplishments.

These ladies go to the Airmen and Family Readiness Center as well as the Right Start Newcomer's briefing to educate the young Airmen on vehicle purchasing. They are passionate about making sure young men and women do not get into a bad car deal situation, something they see all too often. Ms. Pawlak also spends her own time driving young Airmen to local dealerships to shop for a car. She stays there with them to make sure they are getting a good deal and are not taken advantage of.

Ms. Pawlak and Ms. Post also planned an outing to a local baseball game that would be free to the Airmen. They got a bus, provided by the Child Development Center on base, and then transported the airmen to and from the game.

If that wasn't enough, both ladies also implemented "dorm night" where they schedule an evening to go over to the dorms, with popcorn or cookies, and talk to the Airmen about finances. But because they love what they do, they also hang around after and talk to the Airmen about their families and "back home."

Many dorm residents have really appreciated what these ladies have done for them, they like the fact that someone is checking up on them....and of course they love the goodies they always bring with them. They are a true testament to the Team McConnell family.