WIESBADEN, Germany -- Civilian employees were recognized for length of service, from five to 40 years and beyond, at a ceremony May 20 at the community activity center.
Col. Todd J. Fish, garrison commander, thanked the awardees for their years in the civil service, highlighting the important role they play in the Army.
"Today's ceremony is a reminder to all of us in the military community that our civilians serve as part of our Army and are an integral part of our military," he said.
He praised the untold amount of dedicated service to both our nations and our militaries.
"Without each and every one of you and your commitment and hard work over the years, we would not be able to sustain this garrison mission.
"And to those of you who are serving from our host nation: Thank you. You truly represent two nations; one team, and are valued members of our community."
Klaus Herbst, an electrician with the Directorate of Public Works, has seen a lot in his 40-year career, from Pope John Paul II and George W. Bush to the fall of communism.
"When the wall came down, I was RIF'ed to Wiesbaden," he said. Since then he hasn't been sick a single day. He chalks up this achievement to his dedication to his job.
"It keeps me healthy," he said.
Charles Hughes, chief manpower division, resource management, started as an Army lieutenant in 1972 as a HAWK Missile Battery Platoon Leader in Key West, Fla. Going into civil service after the military was not part of his plan, but he likes what he does.
"I didn't originally want to continue working for the military after I left the uniformed services, but here 24 years later, I'm still working in the civil service, enjoying my work and the people I get to work with."
Hughes credits his success to his boss and others he has worked with over the years and much of it "to the resourcefulness I had learned through many jobs and years in other Army jobs."
Richard Bolten, a child and youth program assistant employee, who began his career 40 years ago with the Air Force in security policy and law enforcement, said it has been the people he's worked with who have kept him going and contributed to his success.
"Everywhere I've worked, people made the big difference," he said. And the icing on the cake? "When kids come back and say 'Thank you.'"
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