Newly appointed military head to be recognized for work with veterans at May gala
April 15, 2014, WASHINGTON — The Pentagon Federal Credit Union Foundation (PenFed Foundation) announced today that Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James will receive the American Hero Award at its 10th Annual Night of Heroes Gala, “Welcome Home: Supporting Warriors in Transition.” The event, which will be held on Wednesday, May 14, at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C., will honor those who have demonstrated leadership in providing support and services to our returning military, veterans, and their families.
“Throughout her career, Secretary James has worked to ensure that America’s obligation to our service members doesn’t end when they put away their uniforms,” said Jane Whitfield, president and chief executive officer of the PenFed Foundation. “We are proud to recognize her commitment to this vital issue as part of this year’s gala.”
In her new role as Secretary of the Air Force, she is responsible for overseeing more than 690,000 active-duty, Guard, Reserve, and civilian airmen along with their families. She has three decades of experience in homeland and national security, having worked in both the federal government and private sector. Prior to joining the Air Force, Secretary James served as president of Science Applications International Corporation’s Technical and Engineering Sector. She also served in the Pentagon as the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs in the Clinton Administration from 1993 to 1998.
From 2010 until taking her new position with the Air Force, Secretary James was chair of the national advisory council for the PenFed Foundation, where she was instrumental in helping build and expand its key programs benefiting the military community.
“In my opinion, when you’re leading any organization, it’s always all about people — and there’s no group of people who have worked harder or sacrificed more for our nation than our veterans,” said Secretary James. “It’s such an honor to receive this award from the PenFed Foundation, which has been serving our wounded warriors for more than 10 years now, increasing financial literacy for our troops and helping make the American dream of home ownership come true for so many of them.”
Gen. (Ret.) Norton Schwartz, former Chief of Staff for the Air Force and current CEO of Business Executives for National Security, will present the award to Secretary James.
Lee Woodruff, author and founder of the Bob Woodruff Foundation, will serve as the emcee, and the Virginia Grand Military Band will provide the evening’s entertainment. Harvey C. “Barney” Barnum, Jr., First Lieutenant, U.S. Marines Corps Company H, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, and Medal of Honor recipient, will serve as an awards presenter along with Brian Miles Thacker, a former U.S. Army officer and a recipient of the Medal of Honor for his heroic service in the Vietnam War. Lt. (Ret.) Gen. Daniel W. Christman, senior vice president for international affairs at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, will also present an award.
The Night of Heroes Gala, a black tie or military dress occasion, will begin at 6 p.m. at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, May 14, with a reception and live auction followed by dinner and the program. The location of this year’s gala is especially significant because the National Building Museum is located in a historic structure built in the 1880s for a government agency helping Civil War veterans.
“The gala is always a special evening, but this year’s event promises to be one of the most exciting in the 10 years we’ve held it,” added Whitfield. “Thanks to our supporters we are planning an extraordinary night for our guests to remember as we honor those that have gone above and beyond to support our men and women in uniform, even long after they’ve returned.”
Sponsors of this year’s gala include PSCU; corporate circle of honor sponsors APi Group, Inc., The Niner Foundation, and UnitedHealthcare Military & Veterans; and legendary hero sponsors Alliant Techsystems, Inc. and Allied Solutions.
Contact: Alison Beckwith, 301-699-0148, media@penfedfoundation.org
