WIESBADEN, Germany - It was a full house at the Community Activity Center Feb. 21 as friends, coworkers and family gathered to recognize longtime employees.
With more than 1,000 years of service to the Wiesbaden military community represented, U.S. and host nation workers stepped forward one-by-one to be honored by U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden leaders Col. David Carstens and Master Sgt. Richard Jungmann.
"Of all the events I get to preside over as garrison commander, this is my favorite, because it is a reminder to all of us in this military community that civilians serve and sacrifice as well as those who wear the uniform," said Carstens. "Without your commitment and hard work, we would not be able to sustain the mission of this garrison.
"USAG Wiesbaden is an enduring part of the U.S. military footprint in Europe," Carstens said. "Jobs are secure. Our mission continues. We have lots to be thankful for in 2014."
Calling his civilian workforce "the backbone of the garrison," Carstens thanked the honorees for their "dedication, service, professionalism" and for "a job well done at making Wiesbaden home for our community."
Before honoring each employee in the various years of service categories, the garrison leaders paid a special tribute to several longtime employees and the Directorate of Public Works supervisory mechanical engineering technician Ernst Kusiak. Kusiak was presented with the Army's Meritorious Civilian Service Award for "exceptional achievements from July 1967 to November 2013."
After going through the rolls -- five years to 35 years -- the garrison leaders reached the benchmark years of four decades of service which included Generoso Ravago and Leonard Sharp.
Two employees were singled out for recognition for reaching the 45-year mark -- the Directorate of Family, Morale, Welfare and Recreation?'s Joseph Cooper and Joe Midgett.
"It makes me feel good," said Cooper, manager of the Automotive Skills Center as an Army civilian after having served for 24 years in the military. "I enjoy giving to work and I enjoy going home at night."
Cooper said he appreciates the ongoing opportunity to work with Soldiers in his capacity at the Automotive Skills Center.
Looking back over his career, Cooper said after being drafted and serving in Vietnam in 1968, "When I made it out of there, that was really special."
Midgett, who retired as an Army master sergeant, said, "It makes me feel good when a customer walks into the Wiesbaden Entertainment Center and says 'Wow.'"
Looking back over his longtime military and civilian career, Midgett said the highlight was "taking care of Soldiers as a first sergeant. That's the best job in the Army."
He and his wife have also enjoyed the chance to serve as volunteer foster parents. "We have more than 58,000 volunteer hours," Midgett said.
He said he plans to work for six more years before retiring to build a log cabin in Montana.
DFMWR's Robert Minsky, facility manager for the Community Activity Center, was recognized for 50 years of service. The former Coast Guardsman and U.S. Army Soldier who retired in Bad Kreuznach in 1986, said he felt great about the accomplishment. "I'm starting my next 50.
"I like serving the troops -- it's something to do and a way to pay back what the federal government did for me," Minsky said.
Among the highlights of his career -- sailing on the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Eagle and "some of the great Army leaders" he served with during his time in the military. (Editor's note: For more photos from the length of service ceremony visit http://www.flickr.com/photos/wpao/sets/72157641450903393.)
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