Warrior of the Week: Todd Anderson

Published May 14, 2013
By Staff Sgt. Susan L. Davis
319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --

Name: Todd Anderson

Unit: Defense Commissary Agency

Job title: Meat Department Manager

Years on the job: 23 years, 5 Months

Hometown: Lincoln, Mich.

1. Why is working at DeCA important to you?

Working for DeCA is important to me because we are here for the most important costumers in the world--the men and women who serve our great country each and every day. The hardship our customers past and present go through, being put in harm's way or left behind to take care of the kids while their spouse is deployed.

2. What moment or accomplishment as a Warrior of the North (DeCA member) are you most proud of and why?

We do what we call "onsite sale" at guard units in Fargo and Devil's Lake. We have worked hard for the last ten years or so to bring the commissary benefit to those who don't have one close by. Each and every year our sales get bigger and bigger, reaching more people all the time. At one of these sales a few years ago, an older, retired shopper came to me and said, "Thank you so much for doing this for us, it means so much to us because we can no longer make the trip to the commissary." It made me feel so good to be able to be part of that.

3. What is your favorite part of your job?

The people are my favorite part of my job--co-workers and customers. I have made a lot of friends over my 20-plus years here at Grand Forks. Some of our daily shoppers I have known for that long, a lot of them are almost like family.

4. Who or what inspires you and why?

Once again I have to say the people who have and still do defend this country of ours, putting their lives on the line, being away from their families, missing time as their kids grow. It's all such a big sacrifice. If we can in some small way ease the minds of those deployed, knowing their loved ones have a place right here on base to shop at a good price, that's a good thing.

5. What's the first thing that made you think Grand Forks Air Force Base was a cool place other than the temperature or weather?

To be honest, the first little while I was here at Grand Forks I was not too impressed. Being from Michigan, I missed the trees and the lakes. It didn't take me too long to change my mind, though. There is a lot to do around here! You might have to travel, but North Dakota is a beautiful place. After spending the last 20 years here, there is nowhere I would rather be.