Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Blue and Gray Post 8469 presented three awards at a public-servant recognition ceremony at the Post’s home in Fairfax.
Two of the awardees were previous winners at the post level, and have since received honors from VFW’s Department of Virginia.
Fairfax County Public Servant awardees were:
• Dispatcher: Public Safety Communicator (PSC) John Ihling, who is employed with the Fairfax County Department of Public Safety Communications.
• Explosive Ordinance and Disposal Technician (EODT): Master Police Officer Brian Storm, a member of the Fairfax County Police Department EOD/Bomb Squad.
Ken Wiseman, Past State Commander/District 10 Commander and VFW National Council of Administration member, presented award certificates and plaques to the awardees and delivered remarks to ceremony attendees. James “Mac” McCarl, VFW Post 8469 Post Commander, gave post “challenge” coins to the awardees and, in his remarks, stated that connecting with the community and recognizing public servants is an important part of the VFW mission and Post 8469 in particular.
A special award was presented to Maddy White, deputy director of outreach for U.S. Rep. Gerald Connolly (D-11th), who was seriously injured by an act of violence committed by a person while she was at her place of employment facilitating public engagement.
With the initiative of VFW Post 8469 and the help of Wiseman, a VFW Commander-in-Chief Certificate of Appreciation was secured for White.
Wiseman bestowed the certificate, a national award, which stated: “Embodying the principle that access to government is fundamental to democracy, Maddy White displayed remarkable valor in the line of duty.”
