Warrior of the Week: Shirley Lawson

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Xavier Navarro
  • 319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

Rank and Name: Shirley A. Lawson

Unit: 319th Contracting Flight

Duty Title: Contract Specialist

Time in Service:  18 years civil service

Hometown:  Lancaster, Pa.

Why is serving in the Air Force important to you? 
It has been my privilege to work for the United States Air Force for 19 years. I have always counted myself lucky to have a job that supports a great service and the United States of America. I had various jobs within the military; I worked at a medical group facility, Air Mobility Command transportation, and contracting. As a military spouse, the USAF feels like a family to me. 

What moment or accomplishment as a Warrior of the North are you most proud of and why?
The moment as a Warrior of the North that I am most proud of is having my family all together and having great friends to hang out with and share the holidays. My husband and I and my seven-year-old son like to hang out at downtown events and eating out at the Blue Moose restaurant.

What is your favorite part of your job?
The 33 people I work with are great, they make it fun to go to work every day, but at the same time we get the job done. Contracting has a major impact on Grand Forks AFB; without contracting, grass would not get mowed in the summer time, snow would not be removed during the winters and buildings would not get built. Knowing you had a hand in that is a great feeling and is the best part of the job. We may be small, but we handle a lot of money that go into things.

Who inspires you and why?
My husband Master Sgt. Thomas Lawson, 319th Medical Operations Squadron optometry technician, inspires me. We have been married for 10 years and he has always pushed me to be better. Being a military spouse is tough; I worked full time and went to school to receive my business degrees which lead to get into a contracting career field.

What's the first thing that made you think Grand Forks Air Force Base was a cool place other than the temperature or weather? 
I have been on six military bases; Grand Forks AFB is the prettiest base that I have been to. I have the best neighbors, and the community here is always friendly and nice. My family got here in September, so the leaves on the trees were turning fall colors. It might have been a different story if we got here in January.  It's a great first impression!