Great Welcome for Pen Air FCU Staffer

PENSACOLA, Fla. – Pen Air Federal Credit Union staffers have welcomed home one of their own heroes from Iraq. In 2003, Pen Air FCU Security/Compliance Officer Vivian Hughes, answered the call to duty and was deployed to Iraq. Now, after over a year, Vivian has returned home to pick up where she left off. Hughes was deployed as a Major and was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel effective January 26, 2004. She has served in the Army National Guard and Army Reserve since October 1981. Hughes has now completed her tour of duty in Iraq, honorably, and received a Bronze Star medal for meritorious service to country. “I am still adjusting and with Hurricane Ivan remains still around at home in Pensacola, it is tough winding down. There is still the lingering shock of a new reality for me.remembering I can sleep safe and quietly through the night,” said Hughes. “Although I am safe at home, I continue to grieve for the soldiers and Marines that have paid the ultimate price. I grieve for their families. I also grieve for the wonderful Iraqi people that I met that continue to assist us in our efforts and that lost their lives or loved ones because of their association with us.” When asked about retirement plans, she explains that there is a Stop Loss on her for 90 days. However, she has served 23 years and plans to get her retirement points in order and validated so that she may retire after the 90 days.