DoD Award given to outstanding civilian employee Published Sept. 1, 2017 By Airman 1st Class Ryan Lackey 92nd Air Refueling Wing / Public Affairs FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- Hiromi Allen, Fairchild Base Exchange supervisor, was presented with the 2016 Department of Defense Outstanding Employee with a Disability Award here Aug. 31, 2017.The DoD has honored civilian employees since 1981, highlighting those that have supported the DoD mission, assisted service members and whose actions reflect the qualities and core values of the branches they serve with.“We have some pretty amazing people at every level and they all have stories to tell,” said Col. Yvonne Spencer, 92nd Mission Support Group commander. “Everyone here at Fairchild adds to the fight.”Allen’s arm was permanently injured in a vehicle accident at the age of three. That injury didn’t stop her from going on to attend a foreign language business school, giving her skills in economics and English. She joined the Base Exchange team in 2005 after being stationed here with her husband and has continued to support the base for the past 12 years.“She’s a voice of reason and stability, I admire her,” said Misty Jones, Base Exchange department manager. “She works so fast, with a humble and dedicated work ethic, so I made sure to have her on my team.”Allen was originally to be given the award last year by then Secretary of Defense, Ash Carter, yet she was once again dedicating herself to the care of family, her aging mother.“This workplace is sincere, kind and supportive of its employees,” Allen said. “They made sure to support my family when I had to go care for my aging mother back in Japan -- I love it here.”Michael Immler, Army & Air Force Exchange Services deputy director, presented Allen with the award at the new ceremony, which was attended by many supportive Air Force family members.“We recruit Airmen, but we retain families,” Spencer said. “We support her family and she goes out of her way to support ours by giving all that she has to help.”
