ANSBACH, Germany (Oct. 25, 2013) -- Several community members at U.S. Army Garrison Ansbach received recognition for their service to the garrison and to the Army.
The awards ceremony, which preceded a meeting between command and staff, happened at the Katterbach Bowling Center Oct. 21. Among the awardees were a Resource Management Office employee who received a Superior Civilian Service Award for her 43 years working for the Army, a group of Soldiers who exemplified environmental excellence, a former plans operations specialist who managed several major accomplishments during his tenure in the position, and a team of employees with the Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation who maintained a continuity of service during a staff shortage.
Col. Christopher M. Benson, USAG Ansbach commander, and Command Sgt. Maj. Leeford C. Cain, USAG Ansbach command sergeant major, first recognized Ursula Tomes.
Tomes, a supervisory budget analyst for Family Housing until her retirement Oct. 22, had worked with the U.S. Army in several capacities during a 43-year career, working in Nürnberg, Fürth and Ansbach as a budget technician, budget analyst, administrative professional, purchasing agent and realty specialist.
During the awards presentation Benson read off a list of words that had been used to describe Tomes and her work.
"'Dedication, commitment, competence, dependable, professional, takes the initiative, quality work, prompt, adaptive, responsible, hard-working, motivated, polite,'" said Benson. "That's everything you want and expect out of a professional individual."
According to the citation on the Superior Civilian Service Award, Tomes's "insurmountable accomplishments ensured an exceptional quality of life for Soldiers and Family members within the community."
"I want to thank you all," said Tomes later at her retirement luncheon to a group of colleagues. "You have been great colleagues, and I have always enjoyed working here. We all had a lot of fun most of the time, and I just want to say thank you. I hope I enjoy retirement as much as I enjoyed working here."
During the triennial Environmental Performance Assessment System, or EPAS, three Soldiers were singled out for their outstanding performance. According to the citations on Chief Warrant Officer 3 Scott J. Ward, Spc. Jarred L. Clark and Spc. William M. Byron, the three Soldiers demonstrated "impeccable leadership and stalwart dedication" to ensure "the garrison improved its environmental compliance and management since the last EPAS inspections."
At the installation level during EPAS, the U.S. Army Environmental Command seeks to find out how well an installation manages its environmental program to meet or exceed current and future requirements.
Benson, while singling out these three Soldiers for their work, also recognized the contributions of the community as a whole.
"We really improved over what we did three years ago," said Benson. "These three individuals standing before you, they are the stand-outs. But the entire community really pulled together. The units on the ground really pulled together, and we knocked it out of the park.
"I thank the entire community, to include all the units, 12th [Combat Aviation Brigade] in particular, and these three individuals as well," continued Benson.
John Collyer, who is currently working on closure for U.S. Army garrisons Bamberg and Schweinfurt, received recognition for his work as Plans and Operations specialist and Plans and Operations chief for the Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security from July 2011 to July 2013. During that time, according to his citation, he "effectively accomplished organizational and dynamic management skills during two crisis management exercises, two major deployments and redeployments of the 12th Combat Aviation Brigade." He also provided "de-confliction of all garrison activities" during the initiation of the Action Officer Forum and the Franconia Military Community Calendar.
The final award recipients were the staff of the Katterbach Bowling Center, who received a certificate of achievement. Among those who were recognized were Keri B. Justice, operations assistant; Nicole Winckowski, lead cook; Raymond Hinch, cook; and Bryon Delgado, food service worker. Three additional employees were not able to make it to the awards presentation; the command team also recognized Donald Hashman, bowling mechanic; Volker Krabbe, lead bowling mechanic; and James W. McLemore, recreation aide.
"As some of you have known, we have had a painfully short staffing situation from April through September," said Laura Waid, business operations officer for USAG Ansbach DFMWR. "I want to recognize the staff who got us through that time."
According to the certificate, the team "supported the mission by taking on additional responsibilities, limiting personal leave and taking care of Soldiers, Families, retirees and civilians." In addition to their role in maintaining operations through staff shortages, they also teamed up with Storck Bowling Center to provide food during the Korn concert and the Fourth of July celebration.
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