Fort Jackson is about to lose a four decade fixture when Cheryl (Jackson) Leysath hangs up her hat March 31.
Leysath, Fort Jackson's Exceptional Family Member Program manager, spent all 42 years of her federal service on post after graduating from Benedict College with a business degree in 1974.
"This is was my actual first job coming to Fort Jackson," she said with a smile. "I knew nothing about Fort Jackson. I knew nothing about the Army except that my dad had been in the Army for a short time."
She first began working as a receptionist for the OBGYN clinic in the hospital.
"I thought when I left Benedict College - I had a business degree I was ready to be a business executive and would walk right into my own office with my name on the door."
But would start out as a clerk and slowly move her way up until she got her own office. Along the way she worked as a passport/travel agent for three years before joining Army Community Services.
ACS was a social worker assistant position and it "seems more like what I wanted to do."
"I learned more about the Army and families and how we need to support family members by working with ACS," she said. Since EFMP hadn't been established yet, she helped the Army establish the program on post in 1980 a year before it was officially mandated by the service. Prior to the program's founding it was known at the handicapped program.
Not only had ACS changed over the years, but Leysath remembered how much the post had transformed as well.
"I think when I came they first completed construction Moncrief Army Hospital," she said. "I worked in old wooden buildings with holes in the floors and no air conditioners. I have seen buildings being torn down and put up again."
Tank Hill at one point was her favorite place on post.
"There used to be old wooden barracks all up and down Tank Hill. Now when you look at it you look at (it you see) the modern buildings being built."
Not only has building changed but technology as well.
She remembered starting out using manual typewriters before transitioning to electric ones until computers and Internet came along.
"Transitioning from typewriters to computers was kind of like a disaster for me," she said laughing. "I have gone from rotary telephones to push button ones to now wireless phones. I have watched the uniforms change. I have been through so many generals I can't even remember them all now."
"When I first got her there were no gates, you could just drive right in."
Leysath and the rest of ACS have a lot of work on their plate, but they get through it with laughter.
"Working at ACS we have a lot of fun besides work," Leysath said. "There is a lot of work time stress with every job, but working here has been … we are working on deadlines and pressures, but we find a way through humor to get through it."
Brandi Palmer, an EFMP specialist, fondly remembers Leysath's performance at the EFMP and Child, Youth and School Services Talent/Fashion Show.
"After much persuasion, Cheryl finally agreed to dust off her wig and bring out of retirement the Ike & Tina Turner Review. She put on an outstanding opening performance that still is the talk at Fort Jackson."
You "can feel her passion and sheer enjoyment she has for special needs families."
Her best memories, she said, are with my Soldiers and Families especially one spouse who was timid and shy, but transformed into a council women for Richland County.
When our families come here they don't have a lot of close relatives beside their husbands or children, so they are surrounding by "a lot of caring; a lot giving."
Sometimes we go the extra mile because we know they have the potential of growing and standing on their own two feet. "The best part of the job is how we can help Families grow," she said.
After she slips out of the office for the last time, the grandmother plans on spending time with her seven grandchildren, five adult children and six brothers.
Her husband has been to many different places around the world "and says it's time for me to see some those places. I'm not one for flying but I said, OK."
"First of all I am going to devote some time to Family; some time I haven't been able to do in the past. For my retirement trip, he said he is going to take me Hawaii.
One thing she said she won't miss is the traffic at the gates.
"Coming in that gate every morning, especially on Family Days, you get so frustrated," she said. "After coming off the 77 and having to wait and wait and wait, I said, 'you know that's one thing I'm not going miss.' But while I am sitting at that gate I think that if we didn't have those Soldiers on Fort Jackson we wouldn't be sitting here today."
Leysath, who will be honored at a luncheon March 18, will gradually remove 40 years' worth of memories from her office until she finally shuts the lights off for the final time.
"Working with Cheryl has been a delight and wonderful learning experience," Palmer said. "It takes less than one minute to be taken in by her warm welcoming smile and infectious laughter. She truly embraces and lives by the motto 'Each one Reach One.' What a phenomenal woman."
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