FORT McPHERSON, Ga. (April 7, 2011) - U.S. Army Forces Command (FORSCOM) G-4 Senior Logistics Management Officer Charles "Chuck" D. Starcher received honors during a retirement ceremony here in the FORSCOM Headquarters building for more than a half century of service to the U.S. Army.

Starcher is slated to conclude nearly 53 years of combined military and civilian service upon officially retiring July 30, 2011.

Maj. Gen. Raymond V. Mason, FORSCOM G-4, hosted the ceremony and rendered remarks pertaining to Starcher's career accomplishments.

"We are a better Army and we are a better G4 team because of your service," said Mason. "To the family, we owe you a debt of gratitude that our nation can not ever pay."

During the ceremony, Mason presented Starcher various awards including the Meritorious Civilian Service Medal, The Ordnance Order of Samuel Sharpe Award, congratulatory letters from President Barack Obama, Georgia Governor Nathan Deal, Georgia Senator Saxby Chambliss, U.S. Army Chief of Staff Gen. George Casey, FORSCOM Commander Gen. James D. Thurman and FORSCOM Deputy Commander Lt. Gen. Howard B. Bromberg. He was also presented with the Army Chief of Staff's coin and certificate of retirement and a U.S. Flag that was flown over the U.S. Capitol Feb. 28, 2011 at the request of Georgia Senator Johnny Isakson.

Starcher enlisted in the U.S. Army in November 1958 and served on active duty for 23 years before retiring as a First Sergeant in 1981. During his Army career, Starcher served in Germany, Vietnam, Korea and at several bases in the United States. He has earned honors such as the Purple Heart Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal and Air Medal.

Starcher entered civil service and served in Europe as a civilian employee for 21 years before joining U.S. Army Forces Command in 2002 as the Senior Logistics Management Specialist in the Supply Branch. He moved to the Systems Branch and became the Acting Branch Chief and was later assigned to the Maintenance Branch and was responsible for Reset, Condition-based Maintenance and Corrosion Control policy for all FORSCOM units.

"This has been a tour of pleasure for me," Starcher said. "We've had our ups and downs. It's been a tour that will never be forgotten (by me)."

Starcher's service includes time served during significant historical events such as being stationed in Germany in 1961 when the Soviet bloc built the Berlin Wall and in 1989 when the wall was disassembled. In all, Starcher served for 33 years in Germany.