Courtesy Photo | Hill Air Force Base Exchange general manager Mark Downs and the Exchange team honored...... read more read more
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HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah - Patricia Barson grew up with a servant’s 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.
Barson’s 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.
“I absolutely love my job,” said Barson, who’s worked at the Exchange’s Taco Bell for about 18 months. “I love taking care of my customers and getting to know them. I try to remember their orders each time—they like that.”
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.
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 plaque, certificates and plenty of well-wishes ahead of her big trip to Washington to accept her official award.
“When Patricia smiles, others smile back,” said Hill AFB Exchange General Manager Mark Downs. “She always keeps a positive attitude that lifts the spirits of others. We are all better for having her on our team.”
The Barson twins—the youngest of six children—grew 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.
“Patricia hasn’t had the easiest life,” her father said. “We raised her and Ashley to do the most they can with what they’ve got.”
Ashley Barson, who buses tables, greets diners and handles other duties in the food court, is her sister’s biggest fan.
“I am proud of her for what she accomplishes every day,” Ashley said. “When 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.”
As she looks to the future, Barson sees herself continuing to serve Airmen at Hill.
“I try to be happy and positive and serve our customers the best I can,” Barson said. “I love it here so much.”
| Date Taken: | 10.19.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 10.20.2015 16:18 |
| Story ID: | 179428 |
| Location: | HILL AIR FORCE BASE, UT, US |
| Web Views: | 97 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Hill AFB exchange associate honored as outstanding DoD employee with a disability, by Julie Mitchell, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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