SPOKANE, Wash. — Three Defense Credit Unions were recognized with Distinguished Service Awards by their respective branches of the armed services during the Defense Credit Union Council's 44th Annual Conference. FirstLight FCU, Fort Bliss, Texas, won the Army Award; Navy FCU Athens Branch, Georgia, won the Navy/Marine Award; and Travis CU, Travis AFB, Calif., won for the Air Force Award.

FirstLight FCU was cited for its outstanding contributions to Fort Bliss and the surrounding community. One of the most notable contributions was a $250,000 pledge to open and operate a new USO for the soldiers of Fort Bliss.

Navy FCU Athens Branch was recognized for its outstanding community and command involvement. The Navy Federal team contributed approximately 204 hours toward community and base activities and anytime there was a call out for volunteers from the base they were there to help. In appreciation of Navy Federal's partnership to the base, Command Master Chief presented a plaque of "Honoring Shipmate" to Navy Federal's Manager recognizing the branch for always going the extra mile.