LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
The Langley Chief's Group held the annual "Chief Mik" Golf Tournament at the Eaglewood Golf Course at Langley Air Force Base, Oct. 4.
Approximately 100 golfers attended the tournament, raising more than $2,900 to aid Langley's enlisted Airmen with initiatives including scholarship programs, morale initiatives, financial aid, base and community activities and awards ceremonies. The tournament, named after U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Denise Mikolajczyk, or "Chief Mik," who died in 2009 as a result of a benign tumor blocking her mitral valve, pays homage to her positive influence and contributions to the Air Force.
Those who knew Chief Mik regarded her as a model servant leader who always put Airmen first. Before passing away in 2009, Chief Mik was stationed at Langley Air Force Base and served as the Manpower Functional Manager for Headquarters Air Combat Command's Directorate of Manpower, Personnel and Services. The Langley Chief's Group made a pledge to keep Chief Mik's spirit alive by holding an annual golf tournament to honor her legacy of serving and caring for Airmen.
According to Chief Master Sgt. Bionca Lindsey, tournament organizer and Langley Chief's Group representative, the goal for the event was to not only remember the legacy of Chief Mik, but represent her caring and serving spirit that impacted Airmen and their families around the world.
"We are hoping this event will bring out members of the base and community to spend time together and to pay respect to a fallen Airman and her family," said Lindsey. "[By doing that] we hope to raise enough money to offset every request for aid we receive throughout the year for enlisted men and women."
Langley Airmen were not the only golfers in attendance. Joyce Richmond, Chief Mik's mother, participated in the tournament and appreciated that her daughter's passion for taking care of Airmen continues.
"She was always trying to help somebody," said Richmond. "The whole time Denise was in the Air Force, she [took care of] her fellow Airmen."
Even though Richmond is proud of her daughter's legacy, she's more pleased the tournament reminds people of the importance Chief Mik placed in helping people in need.
"It's absolutely marvelous that the Chief's Group named this tournament after Denise," said Richmond. "This is our fifth year here and it's [inspiring] to see new people each time who have heard about her. I think the fact the tournament benefits enlisted personnel is the best possible memorial for Denise. That's what she would have wanted."