Warrior of the Week: Peggy Howard

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Xavier Navarro
  • 319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs Office
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  Rank and Name: GS-7 Peggy Howard

Unit: 319th Force Support Squadron

Duty Title: School Age Program Coordinator

Time in Service: 22 Years

Hometown: Houma, La.

Why is serving in the Air Force important to you?
I was born and raised as an Air Force kid. My father, my husband and my son served in the Air Force. I have been serving the Air Force since I was 18 years old and have been serving for more than 30 years. I have been a School Age Program Coordinator on this base since 2000 and support military members by caring for their children while they carry out the mission of the Warriors of the North.

What moment or accomplishment as a Warrior of the North are you most proud of and why?
The accomplishment I am most proud of as a Warrior of the North was the first time the School Age Program was granted their National Accreditation in 1996. The Air Force set down a standard that all Air Force Child and Youth Programs would be accredited and I am proud to say Grand Forks AFB School Age Program was one of the first in the Air Force to accomplish this goal.

What is your favorite part of your job?
We currently have 55 kids enrolled in the program and I get to come to work every day and see the smiles and get high fives from the children, knowing that they are happy to be at the School Age Program. My staff is wonderful and they make it fun for kids to socialize with others and feel safe.

Who inspires you and why?
I am very lucky to have had several people who supported me through the years, but there is one person who stands out: Kris Holmes. Kris was the School Age Coordinator before me. She took me under her wing and taught me how to be a manager. Her sole goal in life was to make a great place for the kids, she instilled in me "children first" in all that we do in Child and Youth Programs.

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 at Grand Forks AFB for a long time, we have moved away for varying reasons, but we always find our way back mostly because of the friendliness and openness of people. They took us in as outsiders and treated us like we lived there all our lives, you don't find that anywhere. I have been lucky enough to make some lifelong friends and had the pleasure to work with some wonderful people though the years.