FORT RUCKER, Ala. (August 2, 2012) -- Members of the Fort Rucker community packed the post theater to honor 14 Soldiers and one civilian retiring from government service during a ceremony July 27.
Col. Brian D. Bennett, commander of the 1st Aviation Brigade, hosted the event that celebrated the careers that encompassed more than a combined 353 years of service to the Army, the Department of Defense and the country.
"Service to our nation is indeed an honor and a privilege, and for those that have given the lion's share of their lives to support their nations, we owe then extra gratitude for their commitment," Bennett said. "It is the story of seemingly ordinary Americans with extraordinary careers serving our great nation.
"Like past generations, they answered when their nation called," he said. "The group we honor today served in campaigns and operations with names like Desert Storm, Desert Shield, Provide Comfort, Restore Hope, Joint Endeavor, Iraq Freedom and Enduring Freedom. These and many more exercises and missions formed their careers."
He also praised Family members for providing support to their loved ones and sharing the sacrifices military careers require.
"So, for those who we recognize today who've earned our country's highest admiration and our citizens' broad support, we are all grateful for your service, for your sacrifice for our nation," he said. "We wish you Godspeed as you begin the next chapter of your lives."
The retirees:
Maj. Ellie M. Vance
Vance received a Meritorious Service Medal in recognition of 20 years of outstanding military service culminating as the S6 for the 164th Theater Airfield Operations Group. She and her husband, Jerry, have two daughters and they plan to reside in Enterprise.
Capt. Brendan M. Tucker
Tucker received a Meritorious Service Medal in recognition of 20 years of outstanding military service culminating as commander of C Troop of the 1st Battalion, 14th Aviation Regiment. He and his wife, Bethany, have two children and plan to reside in Newton.
CW5 Richard L. Harmon
Harmon received the Legion of Merit in recognition of 30 years of outstanding military service culminating as the chief of the academic instructor division of the Warrant Officer Career College. He and his wife, Lori, have two children and three grandchildren. They plan to reside in Dothan.
CW5 Michael T. Nysewander
Nysewander received the Legion of Merit in recognition of 25 years of outstanding military service culminating as the director of the Warrant Officer Staff Course with the Warrant Officer Career College. He and his wife, Cindy, have four children and three grandchildren. They plan to reside in Enterprise.
CW5 Nathan C. Wriston
Wriston received the Meritorious Service Medal in recognition of 22 years of outstanding military service culminating as a platoon leader and instructor pilot with the 1st Battalion, 212th Aviation Regiment. He and his wife, Julie, have five children and plan to reside in Enterprise.
CW4 GrahamB. Vockroth
Vockroth received the Army Commendation Medal in recognition of 27 years of outstanding military service culminating as the Joint Task Force safety officer for more than 2,000 Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. He has one child and plans to reside in Level Plains.
CW4 Darrin D. Swan
Swan received the Meritorious Service Medal in recognition of 24 years of outstanding military service culminating as the Shell Army Airfield safety officer with the 1st Battalion, 212th Aviation Regiment. He and his wife, Gina, have a son. They plan to reside in Enterprise.
CW4 James P. McDonough
McDonough received the Meritorious Service Medal in recognition of 21 years of outstanding military service culminating as an Aviation Combat Forensic officer with the Aircraft Shoot Down Assessment Team. He and his wife, Aimee, have two children. They plan to reside in Enterprise.
CW3 John S. DiPaolo II
DiPaolo received the Meritorious Service Medal in recognition of 24 years of outstanding military service culminating as the chief of the Aviation Master Gunner Course. He and his wife, Jennifer, have two children. They plan to reside the local area.
CW3 Scott J. Rackley
Rackley received the Meritorious Service Medal in recognition of 20 years of outstanding military service culminating as the student management officer with B Company, 1st Battalion, 145th Aviation Regiment. He has two children and plans to reside in Enterprise.
1st Sgt. John F. Fairley
Fairley received the Legion of Merit in recognition of 29 years of outstanding military service culminating as a ground accident investigator with the U.S. Army Combat Readiness/Safety Center. He and his wife, Katrina, have one child, and Fairley also has two daughters. They plan to reside in Enterprise.
Sgt. 1st Class David E. Cofer
Cofer received the Meritorious Service Medal in recognition of 22 years of outstanding military service culminating as the Fort Rucker garrison Equal Opportunity adviser and Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention program manager. He and his wife, Ginger, have three children and nine grandchildren. They plan to reside as "citizens of the world."
Sgt. 1st Class Eric D. Mattson
Mattson received the Meritorious Service Medal in recognition of exceptionally meritorious performance and outstanding military service culminating as the military fire chief and NCO in charge of the Directorate of Public Safety. He and his wife, Karen, have one child. They plan to reside in Dallas.
Staff Sgt. Todd E. Nash
Nash received the Army Commendation Medal in recognition of 22 years of outstanding military service culminating as the assistant S3 NCO for the 1st Battalion, 212th Aviation Regiment. He and his wife, Michel, have two children. They plan to reside in Enterprise.
Paula G. Allman
Allman received the Superior Civilian Service Award in recognition of 32 years of outstanding service culminating as the managing editor and senior writer for "Flightfax," "Countermeasure," and "Knowledge" magazines with the U.S. Army Combat Readiness/Safety Center. She and her husband, Darrell, have two children and two grandchildren. They plan to reside in Enterprise.
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