ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL, Ill. -- Rock Island Arsenal hosted its fourth-quarter Retirement and Retreat Community Ceremony to honor six Soldiers and one civilian as they retired from government service, Sept. 14, at Heritage Hall, here.
Army Sustainment Command senior leaders, Col. Stacy Townsend, assisted by Sgt. Maj. Jeffrey Moses, presided over the ceremony. Townsend provided a brief biography of each individual and wished them well as they prepare to transition into retirement.
Townsend presented awards and certificates of retirement to Col. David Sears, Illinois National Guard; Lt. Col. Steven Garcia, First Army; Sgt. Maj. Adam Tweedell, First Army; Sgt. 1st Class Robbi Williams, Army Sustainment Command; Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Smith, First Army; Staff Sgt. Brian Davis, First Army; and Vicki Garbysiak, Joint Munitions Command, to recognize more than 174 years of combined military and civilian service to the Department of Defense.
"Retirement and Retreat Ceremonies are a long-standing military tradition," Townsend said. "They provide military units an opportunity to acknowledge the selfless service and sacrifices of our retirees as they leave long and honorable careers in service to the United States Army and our nation.
"Today's retirement ceremony is a testament to their abilities and to the faithful execution of their duties," Townsend added. "This indeed is an opportunity to recognize these great Americans for their decades of service to our nation."
Following the official awards to retirees, spouses and family members were recognized for supporting them during their career. Some family members received a personal certificate of recognition or a bouquet of flowers.
Sgt. Maj. Adam Tweedell is a native of Decatur, Georgia, who retired after serving as the G-6 (information technology) sergeant major, First Army.
"The Army has given me so many opportunities," Tweedell said. "I was privileged to be assigned to numerous leadership and staff positions, and I am honored and humbled to have served my great nation as a senior noncommissioned officer for more than 24 years. I look forward to the next chapter in my life as a retired Soldier."
Tweedell plans to spend more time with his family and start a small farm in eastern Tennessee.
Vicki Gabrysiak is a native of Moline, Illinois, who retired after serving as a logistics management specialist in the Security Assistance Directorate at the Joint Munitions Command.
Gabrysiak's extensive government career on the arsenal included two recent year-long deployments to Afghanistan.
"I will have many fond memories of the various duties I have performed as an Army civilian," said Gabrysiak. "I have experienced so many rewarding opportunities that I never imagined were possible."
Gabrysiak said she is also looking forward to many years of retirement. She plans to travel, volunteer and exercise in the gym. She will also be spending more time with her two adult sons -- "my greatest sources of pride and joy."
Townsend concluded the ceremony by thanking the retirees for their "valued service to our Army" and wished them well in their retirements. "I wish you and your families good luck in all your future endeavors."
At the conclusion of event during the retreat ceremony, the colors were retired for the duty day to the sound of a howitzer boom and the lowering of the U.S. flag from the installation's flag pole.
Quarterly retirement and retreat ceremonies are joint efforts hosted by the major tenant organizations on the Rock Island Arsenal. The Army Sustainment Command was this year's fourth-quarter host.
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