Service Credit Union Vice President of Overseas Operations, Philip R. von Streicher, presented a check to garrison commander Col. Christopher R. Danbeck

GRAFENWOEHR, Germany — In celebration of being awarded 2019 Army Distinguished Credit Union of the Year, USAG Bavaria Service Credit Union (SCU) management made a generous contribution back to the community on Wednesday, Oct. 7. SCU Vice President of Overseas Operations, Philip R. von Streicher, presented a check to garrison commander Col. Christopher R. Danbeck, so that it can be used to help fund Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation activities across the footprint.

The Army Distinguished Credit Union of the Year award recognizes the SCU’s involvement within the USAG Grafenwoehr community and partnership with the Command. The award was issued by the Department of the Army in August, 2020. Last year, the USAG Bavaria SCU held 177 military events and donated over $88,000 in direct support of the Garrison’s sponsored events.

During Wednesday’s ceremony at the Grafenwoehr SCU branch, von Streicher expressed organizational gratitude for the recognition, and pride in supporting servicemen and women.

“This is the fourth time, in the last 19 years, USAG Bavaria won this price. What we intend to do with this, is to return to the community — some support for all the support they give us,” said von Streicher. “This is a symbiotic relationship.”

All four full-service branches – Grafenwoehr, Vilseck, Hohenfels and Garmisch – each made a contribution of $5,000, for a grand total of $20,000 payable to a community agency of the commander’s choosing.

“This is awesome,” said Danbeck, “Thanks for what you are doing.”

SCU has been serving the military since 1957, and operating in the USAG Bavaria footprint since 2001. Previously, SCU received this award in 2017.

“The 2019 award recipient branch took great pride in their customers, as they held 177 military events and donated over $88,000 in direct support of the Garrison’s sponsored events,” said Brig. Gen. Mark S. Bennett of the U.S. Army Financial Management Command. “With all of that, there’s no doubt why they were selected.”