ALEXANDRIA, Va.—In front of more than 300 guests, the Pentagon Federal Credit Union Foundation (PenFed Foundation), a nonprofit organization working to meet the unmet financial needs of our military community, presented former U.S. Secretary of State George P. Shultz with the American Hero Award on Oct. 27 at the Los Altos Golf & Country Club in Los Altos, Calif., as part of its second annual Night of Heroes Dinner.
“For decades, Secretary Shultz has tirelessly served our veterans and the greater military community,” said James Schenck, president and CEO of the PenFed Foundation. “We were honored to present him with the American Hero Award for his relentless commitment and service. We thank him and our nation’s defenders thank him.”
Sloan Gibson, Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs, also gave remarks at the dinner about the importance of caring for our nation’s veterans. “Tonight, as they have for almost two-and-half centuries, they remain the force for good in many remote and unforgiving places in the world. Their missions are difficult and dangerous, but they perform them with the greatest dedication and without hesitation,” said Gibson.
Gibson also acknowledged the PenFed Foundation’s role in the success of the Lee and Penny Anderson Defenders Lodge in Palo Alto, Calif., emphasizing the VA’s commitment to serving those who have selflessly served our nation and embracing partnerships it has formed with devoted groups such as the PenFed Foundation.
Shultz was greeted with a standing ovation and graced the audience with his sharp wit and age-old wisdom.
“When someone introduces me as a former Marine, I tell them there’s no such thing,” he quipped. As a Marine, Shultz learned lessons that kept him in good stead throughout his career. “We learned two things. One—never underestimate your adversary. Two— don’t do what they expect you to do. I learned something kind of devastating. Wonderful people get killed and injured.”
Shultz emphasized the importance of setting the conditions for success in matters of national security. “When you get ready to do something, make sure it is a good mission, make sure that it is well designed, and make sure we are equipped to win.”
Schenck encouraged attendees to continue their support of the Defenders Lodge and the historical public/private partnership between the PenFed Foundation and the Department of Veterans Affairs. He also emphasized how supporting our veterans is a never-ending responsibility.
“One of the most heartwarming and gratifying parts of my job is to also be able to lead,” added Schenck. “The PenFed Foundation is a place where we are helping people every day do better and are constantly reminded that our military heroes need heroes too.”