Meet Penny Daniels, veterans service officer

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Penny Kay Holmes was born September 19, 1956. She was born to Doyle and Betty Holmes of Tustin, Michigan. Penny graduated from Pine River High School in 1974. After graduation, she worked in a local factory in Cadillac, Michigan before deciding on a different career path. On July 18, 1975, she took the oath to serve and defend her country by joining the United States Air Force.

Penny went to basic training at Lackland Air Base (AFB), San Antonio, Texas. After basic training, she would start preparing for her career in the Air Force. She went to Sheppard AFB, Wichita Falls, Texas where she received training in disbursing accounting.

Penny's first duty assignment was at Brooks AFB, San Antonio, Texas. Here, she processed newly assigned personnel and computed travel pay orders to both military and civilian personnel. She received two ranks during her time - airman first class and senior airman. Here she also met her future husband Keith Daniels who was also in the Air Force. They were married in May 1978.

After serving three years at Brooks, the newlyweds received orders to Bitburg Air Force (AB), Germany in 1979. Here she worked as an auditor in military pay. She made the rank of staff sergeant while she was stationed there. She also attended her first leadership school where she learned how to be a better non-commissioned officer. In 1981, they had a daughter, Janae' Irene who was born on Dec 26. The Daniels' had the opportunity to tour several countries and sites during their time in Europe. They took part in the German culture of drinking wine and eating good German cuisine.

In February 1982, the Daniels' were assigned to K.I. Sawyer AFB, Marquette, Michigan. Here, Penny became the non-commissioned officer-in-charge (NCOIC) of quality examination. She also worked in the materiel section and later became the NCOIC of the travel section. She also attended the NCOIC leadership school in Griffith AFB, Indiana.
In 1986, the Daniels' found themselves going back to the Lonestar state to Dyess AFB, Abilene, Texas. Dyess was the home of the B-a Bomber. Here Penny was the NCOIC of quality examination and chief of military pay. She learned the rank of technical sergeant while stationed here. She also attended the non-commissioned officer's academy at the Shreveport AFB, Louisiana. After three years, the Daniels' were headed back to Europe.

In October 1989 they arrived in Frankfurt Germany at Rhein Main AB, Germany. Shortly after arriving to Germany, the Daniels' got to witness a piece of history when the Berlin Wall fell in November 1989. Penny was also the chief of military pay here too. During this assignment, Desert Storm/Desert Shield was in full swing. When Russia and the Communist party fell in 1991, Penny was a paying agent on numerous trips to Russia to provide aide to the ridden country. Penny received the rank of master sergeant during this assignment.

In 1993, the Daniels' went back to the states, this on the other side of the country to California at Vandenberg AFB. Here, she was the chief of travel. After completing over 19 years of service Penny decided in 1994 to retire. Her husband had retired in 1993. They first settled back to Texas from 1994-2000.

 In 2001 the family moved to Woodbury, Tennessee and has been there ever since.

She received the following awards and decorations during her period of service. Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal with 3 bronze oak leaf clusters, Army Commendation Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Good Conduct Medal with one silver oak leaf cluster, Air Force Overseas Long tour ribbon, NCO Professional Military Education Graduate Ribbon, Air Force Training Ribbon.

She's currently the Veterans Service Officer for Cannon County, Woodbury, Tennessee. A member of Veterans and Concerned Citizens of Cannon County. Post Adjutant, and member of Hilton Stone American Legion Post #279.

 

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COURIER SPOTLIGHT
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