Here are the top stories for the week of Oct. 19, 2020, straight from AWN News 6 Correspondent, Jolene McNutt:

Proposed Senate Bill May Make Payroll Tax Deferral Optional

New legislation aimed to make the payroll tax deferral optional has been introduced by Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.). The legislation is called Protecting Employees from Surprise Taxes Act, “which would simply make the president’s payroll tax deferral optional,” reported Federal News Network.

“The federal government—or any employer—should not force its employees to take on debt through deferred payroll taxes that must be repaid next year,” said Ken Thomas, president of the National Federation of Federal Employees. He added, “This bill would give employees the choice, placing the decision-making authority in the hands of the individual.”

“Military officials, unions, and lawmakers have worried the payroll tax deferral will come as surprise to the civilian and military workforce, especially young servicemembers, who will see the extra cash in their paychecks now and spend it, leaving them unprepared to pay it back in 2021,” said Federal News Network. 

There is not a current projected date when the bill will be considered in the Senate.

AAFES Truck Driver Named 2020 All-Star Driver

“A 16-year Army & Air Force Exchange Service [truck] driver has been named a 2020 All-Star Driver by the National Private Truck Council,” AAFES shared in a recent press release. The driver, Bruce Cameron, was one of only 100 truck drivers to be named based on his exceptional commitment to safety, compliance, and customer service from June 2019 through May 2020. 

“‘It’s an all-encompassing nomination process that looks at a driver’s record—safety on the job, injuries, traffic history, and compliance with internal policies,’ said Col. Douglas Vallejo, the Exhange’s deputy director of Logistics.”

Cameron has driven 4.5 million miles during his 44-year career. He drives a route for AAFES from Tyndall Air Force Base in the Florida panhandle, then west to Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas. 

Gary Sinise Foundation Surprises WWII Vets with Care Packages

The Gary Sinise Foundation shifted gears on five planned Soaring Valor trips, hosting veterans at the National WWII Museum. During these trips, veterans share their stories and experiences during WWII with high school students. COVID-19 may have put a damper on the trips, but The Gary Sinise Foundation found a way to make lemonade out of pandemic lemons. Each veteran who was scheduled to participate in the Soaring Valor trip received a care package to “lift their spirits and morale while staying safe at home,” said the foundation.

More than 400 care packages were sent and included a personalized note from the Gary Sinise Foundation, a personalized letter from the National WWII Museum, a hat, WWII-themed postcards, USA-themed socks, a mug, a jigsaw puzzle, Gary Sinise’s autobiography, and more. You can catch a picture of 93-year old, WWII veteran, George Bryant, who was one of the recipients, with his hat and new coffee mug.

This Week in History

On Oct. 19, 1781, British General Charles Cornwallis surrendered to George Washington and French commanders at Yorktown, ending the U.S. Revolutionary War. It wasn’t until two years later that the Treaty of Paris was signed, formally recognizing that the U.S. was a free and independent nation. 

Images: By United States Senate ; Marines rest in the field on Guadalcanal