Marilyn Bidgood accepted a Congressional Record honoring her late husband, Colonel Fred Bidgood, from U.S. Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-10) at Huntsman Square Starbucks in Springfield.
Remembered for his wit, sense of humor and service to country, the late Colonel Fred Bidgood's family accepted a Congressional Record from U.S Rep Barbara Comstock (R-10) on Mar. 24.
Comstock presented the recognition to Bidgood's wife, Marilyn Bidgood, at a Starbucks in Springfield. Comstock also participated in a behind-the-bar-event, where she served coffee and chatted with constituents.
"...A neighbor in the community who recently was widowed, her husband was a decorated veteran, so we had submitted a statement honoring him in a Congressional Record. We thought we'd take this opportunity, while we were in the community, so all of the neighbors could come together and make it easy for them to be here," Comstock said.
Though he died in 2015, friends and family attended the event to honor Bidgood. The Bidgoods were married for 55 years.
"Oftentimes we recognize service members after they're not with us anymore so I think it continues to keep [Bidgood's] memory alive and continues to acknowledge the hard work that our service members do, even if they're not here with us," District Manager Amy Pappas said.
In addition to allowing community residents to interact with Comstock, the event supported Starbucks' national effort to support military families and veterans.
"The goal is to help bring the Congresswoman closer to constituents in the area, as well as really to help promote and support Starbucks' veteran and military spouse hiring initiative. Starbucks is committed hiring veterans and military spouses, as well as really supporting the military community anyway we can, so we're glad to have her," Pappas, who is also a military spouse, said.
To many who helped host the event, this national effort is personal because stepping out of military uniform can be a difficult adjustment. Herrick Ross, military talent recruiter for Starbucks, served in the Marine Corps for 22 years.
"So for a veteran that's transitioning like me, I was looking for a company which has proven their loyalty, a company that definitely wants to do something good and not just be about profit," Ross said. "So that spoke to me, that helped ease my worry a little bit, and they gave me this opportunity to help reach back and help my brethren service members transition well as well, so that definitely helped me grow more in comfort and confidence."
The event not only gave Comstock an opportunity to speak with constituents and support military families, but also reminded her of her first job.
"My first job was at a movie theatre doing popcorn and soda, so this was a little harder," Comstock said after learning how to make Cafe Mocha.