TSA official thanks members of the community for their gesture.
On a cold Monday, it was a delight to see Transportation Security Officers at the Indianapolis International Airport enjoy a nice Indian lunch, along with pizza, gulab jamun and gajar ka halwa.
In a heart-warming gesture, the Sikh community of Fishers, Indiana, served hot food for Transportation Security Administration (TSA) workers, who were affected by the federal government shutdown, at the Indianapolis airport on Monday, January 28. Members of the community also donated $6,000 worth of grocery and gift cards.
SikhPAC chairman and activist Gurinder Singh Khalsa told the American Bazaar that, even though the shutdown was temporarily lifted on January 25, the gesture was important to get the workers back on their feet and recognize their service. TSA workers were among the worst affected by the longest ever shutdown in the US history.
In a letter written to Singh, Aaron E. Batt, TSA Federal Security Director for Indiana, thanked the Sikh community for their “support and selfless service.”
As a token of gratitude, Batt presented Singh with a unique TSA “Indiana Challenge Coin,” which recognizes those that exhibit the core TSA values of “Integrity, Respect and Commitment.”
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“Thank you for recognizing the professionalism and commitment of the Transportation Security Officers here at the Indianapolis International Airport,” Batt wrote in the letter. “As you know, the men and women at TSA have been in a very difficult situation, not knowing when they will be paid, but yet they have not allowed that uncertainty to get in the way of fulfilling our mission to protect the nation’s transportation systems. Their commitment and drive to protect the community is motivated when people like yourself recognize their sacrifices and offer assistance.”
Taking about the “struggles” of the TSA workers, Singh said: “The Sikhs may be small in number, but are very fortunate. Each one of us needs to incorporate the American values we place in importance and step up do our part in selfless service to our neighbors in need. We hope this will inspire others to come forward for humanitarian causes.”