GRAFENWOEHR, Germany -- The 405th Army Field Support Brigade said goodbye to Theo Arnold, Grafenwoehr's Transportation Division, who retired after 34 years of faithful, dedicated service to the U.S. Army.
Arnold was presented the Saint Christopher Award approved by the Army's Chief of Transportation, Brig. Gen. Stephen E. Farmen.
James Risek, director of Logistics, Grafenwoehr, presided over the farewell ceremony Feb. 1. Arnold, who was the Transportation Motor Pool/Non-Tactical vehicle branch chief, retired after more than three decades of service to the Grafenwoehr Transportation Division.
The award that Arnold received is the highest Army Transportation honor that can be bestowed to those in the Transportation career field.
The ancient award exemplifies those few individuals whose careers embody outstanding achievements and accomplishments in the spirit, dignity, and sense of sacrifice and commitment epitomized by Saint Christopher, the patron saint of the Transportation Corps.
"As a German National, Mr. Arnold was a lifelong transporter. He started as a commercial taxi driver in the Grafenwoehr Training Area and began his career in government service humbly as a temporary transportation clerk, at the bottom rung grade of Germany's employment system," Risek said.
"Mr. Arnold steadily moved up the career ladder, working in every facet of installation transportation -- passenger travel, unit movement and convoy clearance, freight movement, personal property counseling and shipment, driver's training and testing, and Transportation Motor Pool management. His knowledge, personality, and commitment will be missed," added Kelii Bright, Installation Transportation Officer supervisor.
Arnold said he plans to remain in the area and spend time with his wife, children, and grandchildren.
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