The COVID-19 pandemic has altered all of our lives in some way – whether it be our physical work locations or what we wear at the grocery store. Recently, several Intelligence and Analysis
Field Intelligence and Integration Division spouses took fabric into their own hands, helping to create masks for their local communities and I&A employees.
Donna Staby, wife of Pittsburgh Field Intelligence Officer (FIO) Robert Staby, and her quilting community came together to sew washable, reusable face masks for medical personnel and first responders in the area. Their kind gesture was even recognized in the local news. Ann Gasser, Regional Field Intelligence Manager Matt Grasser’s wife, also made 40 protective masks for Cleveland’s University Hospitals system in Ohio. She even recruited a few volunteers from their church to assist.
Meanwhile in Northern New England, Heather Frye, wife of FIO Darin Frye, started making masks for family, friends, neighbors and others while Jan Smith-Cox, wife of Reagan Washington National Airport FIO Charlie Cox, picked up her needle and thread in the DC region, too.
The I&A Acting Deputy Assistant Administrator John Beattie was thankful for the ongoing efforts and stated, “I personally would like to extend my sincere and utmost appreciation to the FIOs and their wives for going the extra mile during this COVID-19 pandemic to produce these masks for their local communities and I&A Watch personnel. It goes without saying that gestures and deeds such as this really highlight the kindness and goodness of our community, co-workers and their families - as we all deal with the stresses and uncertainties of COVID-19. My sincerest and heartfelt appreciation and thanks to the FIOs and their wives! Superb effort!”
Hearing of their efforts, the Operations Support Resource Management Office asked Frye and Cox if they would be willing to make masks for I&A’s Watch
Officers and other employees who must work in the office. As of last week, FIO Cox dropped off a supply of masks to TSA Headquarters Watch employees and 30 masks have been mailed from the Frye residence. They’ll be distributed among I&A Watch personnel at Headquarters, Herndon, Colorado Springs, and Annapolis Junction.