ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL, Ill. -- Three Army Sustainment Command personnel were recognized for their career achievements culminating 75 years of service in a retirement & retreat ceremony here Jan. 31.
James E. Salter Jr., Sgt. 1st Class Robert B. Haxton III, and Staff Sgt. Raphinette K. Quinn were bade farewell by the command and well-wishers in a ceremony hosted by Brig. Gen. Duane A. Gamble, ASC deputy commanding general, held in Building 60.
In his opening remarks, Gamble who served as the reviewing officer, said the retirees were going to "bigger and better things" and acknowledged those that helped them in their professional life -- family, friends, partners, and co-workers.
"Today, during this ceremony, we honor and thank all of you for all that you've done for our three retirees over the years," Gamble said.
Salter, a 34-year civilian veteran who retired as a GS-13, served as the team leader for Army Prepositioned Stocks major end Items and was responsible for coordinating sourcing and disposal of those items during his nine-year tenure with ASC. He was responsible for validating APS equipment requirements and coordinating all sourcing/disposal actions for major end items.
His Army career began when he was a junior in college in 1979 when Salter was hired as a college co-op student with the New Cumberland Army Depot in Pennsylvania.
He has deployed to Europe, Kenya in support of a Rwanda relief effort, and Iraq.
Gamble thanked Salter during his speech for his deployments.
"Thank you for that and you're phenomenal," he said, and added that it was "difficult, dangerous work."
In 1981, Salter receive received a bachelor's degree in business administration from Norfolk State University, Va. He is also a 1990 Army Management Staff College graduate.
He also has served as a volunteer for the Big Brothers Big Sisters Organization of the Mississippi Valley, Quad Cities, and Greater Charleston Area, S.C.
He has been married to the former Bernadette Sonia Freeman for 28 years. Salter has said he plans to relocate to North Carolina and relax.
Haxton assumed duties in August 2010 as the Provost Marshal noncommissioned officer-in-charge for ASC . He is a native of Waukee, Iowa, and enlisted in the Army in May 1993. Haxton's deployments include Kosovo and Afghanistan and he has been awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the Combat Action Badge among many others.
"He and I have tread over some of the same ground," Gamble said citing some same locations. And now they have served together in the Quad Cities, a "fabulous community of communities," he said.
He is an active member of the American Legion Chapter 639, Eldridge, Iowa. Haxton is married to the former Traci Rose Dunn.
Haxton, who possesses an associate degree in liberal arts with an emphasis in criminal justice, is enrolled at Upper Iowa University and plans to attain a bachelor's degree.
Quinn, who is single, assumed duties in January 2012 as a movement supervisor in ASC's Logistics Mobility Branch, Distribution Management Center. She enlisted in the Army in March 1992. Her deployments include Kuwait and Iraq and she has supported operations affecting Afghanistan.
Quinn has served in leadership positions from squad leader to platoon sergeant.
She has received the Joint Service Achievement Medal and four Army Commendations Medals among others. Additionally, Quinn is also the recipient of the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal for her work in the mid-90s.
The medal was designed by the Institute of Heraldry and was first issued in December 1993.
The MOVSM recognizes those members of the military (active duty, reserve and National Guard) who perform substantial volunteer service to the local community.
She is currently working on a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Central Texas College in her quest for a career in Crime Scene Investigation.
"We will live up to the legacy you have left us," Gamble said in closing. "It's an honor today to be part of your ceremony."
The commander of troops was Sgt. Maj. Mark Nissen, ASC Operations sergeant major. The invocation was provided by Chaplain (Maj.) Terry Jarvis, Joint Munitions Command chaplain.
The Army Sustainment Command sustains the Army and joint forces in support of combatant commanders around the world through logistics.
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