WASHINGTON -- Pentagon Federal Credit Union received some high-profile praise on a White House blog on the eve of Veterans Day.
Written by Colonel Nicole Malachowski, a U. S. Air Force officer who was the first female pilot chosen to fly as part of the USAF Air Demonstration Squadron, the
PenFed Foundation is the national charity arm of PenFed FCU, a $19.2-billion institution based in Alexandria, Va.
The blog also praises First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joseph Biden, for their efforts in launching the "Joining Forces Initiative" program, a support service for military veterans and their families.
Malachowski, who also serves as executive director of Joining Forces, cites a number of projects that Joining Forces has undertaken to help with various problems faced by veterans, including finding post-military employment and assisting ex-soldiers with re-entry into civilian society.
In a separate press release, PenFed Foundation noted that its relationship with the VA will expand the foundation's existing Military Heroes Fund Emergency Assistance Program to include all veterans. Previously, the program was available only to veterans of the Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom conflicts.
As part of its duties, The foundation will be able to provide emergency financial assistance for Veterans in need of one-time payments for back utilities, creditors, security deposits, and rental deposits.
"VA's new partnership with the PenFed Foundation will greatly benefit Veterans who are facing overdue bills and are at risk for homelessness," said VA Secretary Robert A. McDonald.
PenFed Foundation president and CEO James Schenck said: "We are absolutely right to hold up our military service members as American heroes. Anyone, who at one time or another, wrote a blank check made payable to the United States of America—for an amount of up to and including their own life has paid their citizenship dues in full, as far as I'm concerned. It's up to the rest of us to ensure that when these heroes need heroes, someone is there to answer the call."
