Davis-Monthan Express Fuels Kindness for First Sergeants Event

The First Sergeants Council surprise Airmen with $15 of free gas ahead of the Fourth of July weekend.

Associates at the Davis-Monthan Express partnered with the First Sergeants Council to pump up Airmen with kindness—and free fuel.

The First Sergeants Council sets aside money each quarter to give back to the Davis-Monthan community. With the Fourth of July signifying the unofficial start of summer, the group wanted to do something for the newest enlisted Airmen to ease financial burden. They knew just whom to call for help: the Exchange.

Master Sergeant Shane Harvey, First Sergeant for the 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern), and the 27 other First Sergeants on the installation, reached out to Exchange General Manager Mikel Hunter to coordinate the surprise.

A member of the First Sergeants Council, left, pays for free gas. He even cleaned the vehicle’s windshield.

“The First Sergeants appreciate the help and enthusiasm of Mikel and the Express team, which ensured our event was a success,” Harvey said. “It’s an honor to do something kind for your fellow Airman, and, like the Exchange, we take every opportunity to pay it forward.”

The First Sergeants purchased nearly $500 worth of fuel in less than an hour, paying $15 each for 33 Airmen below the rank of staff sergeant. The group also cleaned front and back windshields.

The event was kept under wraps until the day of, even from associates—only Hunter and Express Assistant Manager Mari McPherson were in the know.

The Express team was honored to be a part of the event.

“Just to see the smiles on the Airmen’s faces—it made us feel so good,” Hunter said. “We are part of this family, this community. To be able to facilitate this act of kindness is priceless.”