{"id":2157,"date":"2015-10-19T13:28:11","date_gmt":"2015-10-19T18:28:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/publicaffairs-sme.com\/pressrelease\/?p=2157"},"modified":"2015-10-19T13:28:58","modified_gmt":"2015-10-19T18:28:58","slug":"hill-afb-exchange-associate-honored-as-outstanding-dod-employee-with-a-disability","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/publicaffairs-sme.com\/pressrelease\/?p=2157","title":{"rendered":"Hill AFB Exchange Associate Honored As Outstanding DoD Employee with a Disability"},"content":{"rendered":"

HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah \u2013 <\/b>Patricia Barson grew up with a servant\u2019s heart. Her winning smile and kind spirit endear her to the Hill Air Force Base Airmen, families and retirees she serves at her part-time job as a cashier at Taco Bell at the Hill AFB Exchange Food Court.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"???????????????????????????????\"<\/a>Barson\u2019s inspiring attitude helped her earn the Outstanding Department of Defense Employee with a Disability Award. The Army & Air Force Exchange Service associate will be honored at a ceremony at the Pentagon Oct. 29 in Washington, D.C.<\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI absolutely love my job,\u201d said Barson, who\u2019s worked at the Exchange\u2019s Taco Bell for about 18 months. \u201cI love taking care of my customers and getting to know them. I try to remember their orders each time\u2014they like that.\u201d <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Barson lives with physical limitations related to being separated from her conjoined twin sister in 1984, when they were just 6 months old. She and her sister, Ashley, who also works at the Hill AFB Exchange food court, were the second set of twins joined at the cranium to survive a separation surgery. During the surgery, both sisters suffered strokes and are impaired on their left sides.<\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hill Exchange managers and Col. Dana Pelletier, 75th Mission Support Group Commander, honored Barson, her twin sister and her family during a special presentation Oct. 16 at the Hill AFB food court. Barson received a <\/span>plaque<\/span><\/a>, certificates and plenty of well-wishes ahead of her big trip to Washington to accept her official award.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen Patricia smiles, others smile back,\u201d said <\/span>Hill AFB Exchange General Manager Mark Downs<\/span><\/a>. \u201cShe always keeps a positive attitude that lifts the spirits of others. We are all better for having her on our team.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Barson twins\u2014the youngest of six children\u2014grew up in a military family. Their father, retired Air Force Col. Aaron Barson, says he and his wife, Kathie, instilled their children with selflessness and a love for serving others.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPatricia hasn\u2019t had the easiest life,\u201d her father said. \u201cWe raised her and Ashley to do the most they can with what they\u2019ve got.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ashley Barson, who buses tables, greets diners and handles other duties in the food court, is her sister\u2019s biggest fan.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI am proud of her for what she accomplishes every day,\u201d Ashley said. \u201cWhen I am at work, I pass by Taco Bell collecting trays or dropping them off, and I see her working hard at everything she does. She gives all she has to make sure every single customer is happy.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

As she looks to the future, Barson sees herself continuing to serve Airmen at Hill.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI try to be happy and positive and serve our customers the best I can,\u201d Barson said. \u201cI love it here so much.”<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

— 30 —<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The Army & Air Force Exchange Service goes where Soldiers, Airmen and their families go to improve the quality of their lives through goods and services provided. Exchange earnings provide dividends to support military morale, welfare and recreation programs. The Exchange is part of the Department of Defense and is directed by a Board of Directors, responsible to the Secretaries of the Army and Air Force through the Chiefs of Staff.\u00a0 To find out more about the Exchange history and mission or to view recent press releases please visit our Web site at <\/span>http:\/\/www.aafes.com\/about-exchange\/public-affairs\/press-releases.htm<\/span><\/a>or follow us on Twitter at <\/span>https:\/\/twitter.com\/ExchangePAO<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Media Notes:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

For more information or to schedule an interview with an Exchange representative please contact Julie Mitchell, 214-312-3327 or mitchelljul@aafes.com.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\t

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