Texas AFA Chapter Honors L3Harris Group as ‘Organization of the Year’

AFA Chapter #416 in Northeast Texas presented the 2023 “AFA Texas Organization of the Year” to L3Harris’ Employee Resource Group, SERVE (Serving Emergency Responders and Veterans Engagement). The Medal of Freedom was presented to Ashley Sneed, a member of the chapter and the SERVE Chairperson, at the ceremony, which was held at the L3Harris location in Greenville, Texas.

SERVE engaged with AFA 416 over the past two years in positive ways. With more than 500 members, SERVE is looking for opportunities for employees to engage in local community support revolving around first responders and veterans.

The SERVE board met with AFA #416 leadership and developed mutually beneficial goals. It was an obvious match for the two teams—they began sharing events and established board interchanges to ensure they provided the best support to each other.

SERVE attended, along with AFA #416 members, the Texas State Meeting, Spring Thing Event in 2022. SERVE board members attended and liked the efforts seen with Teachers, Students, STEM activities, and Civil Air Patrol (CAP). Their leadership attended a Saturday demonstration by the Greenville High School Solar Car and the Commerce High School Robotics and Drone teams. This provided SERVE leaders with firsthand involvement and an opportunity to see results.

SERVE leaders and members have attended Civil Air Patrol activities and provided speakers. SERVE’s leaders and members have been judges for the AFA #416 annual essay contest for the past three years, aiding in the Chapters’ ability to present more than $8,000 in scholarships to students. 

Sneed, who accepted the award on behalf of the group, helped AFA #416 with generating and paying for Vietnam posters used in our Linden, Texas, event for the 50th anniversary commemoration recognizing the end of the Vietnam War, and the memorial service for Staff Sgt. John O’Neal Rucker, the last enlisted Airman killed during the war. 

L3Harris’ SERVE group is a tremendous partner for Chapter #416, and this L3Harris employee group is a model partnership for other chapters to consider. Our community partners and defense contractors have a wealth of knowledge and ability to call on. Thank you, SERVE!