JBLM Civilian Hall of Fame inducts its 25th member

By Joint Base Lewis-McChord Garrison Public AffairsMarch 29, 2019

JBLM Civilian Hall of Fame inducts its 25th member
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Sarah Zenz, middle, the daughter of Mary Findlay, is greeted by Col. Nicole Lucas, left, Joint Base Lewis-McChord Garrison commander, along with Lt. Gen. Gary Volesky, I Corps commanding general, at the 2018 JBLM Civilian Hall of Fame Lt. Gen. Bill H... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
JBLM Civilian Hall of Fame inducts its 25th member
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
JBLM Civilian Hall of Fame inducts its 25th member
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Mary Findlay was posthumously honored with the Joint Base Lewis-McChord Civilian Hall of Fame Lt. Gen. Bill Harrison Service Award March 28 during a ceremony at the American Lake Conference Center on JBLM North.

Findlay, who passed away Dec. 1, 2018, was the founder of Suits for Service Members, a program at JBLM which helps service members who are transitioning from the military to the civilian work force. Her contributions to JBLM, including volunteering about 180 hours a month, span seven years.

"There are very few people I've met who have shown that compassion and care for the Soldiers and their families," said Lt. Gen. Gary Volesky, I Corps commanding general, who officiated the event with a group of JBLM civic leaders and several members of the JBLM Civilian Hall of Fame. "And although she can't be with us today, we honor her memory by inducting her into the JBLM Civilian Hall of Fame. We will never forget the examples she set or all that she gave to our Soldiers and families. She will forever be part of our family."

Findlay's daughter, Sarah Zenz, attended the induction ceremony to accept the award and recognition on her mother's behalf.

"I just want to thank you, everyone, so much for recognizing my mother," Zenz said. "My mom loved the community and helping everyone. It means so much to see her being honored this way. And it's true, my mother never liked to talk about herself; she always liked to talk about service and helping others. This would just mean so much to her to be recognized this way."

The JBLM Civilian Hall of Fame Lt. Gen. Bill Harrison Service Award was established in 2003. It recognizes one or more community members annually who have contributed to the community as a civilian for three or more years, and who, through their efforts, made an exceptional impact on service members, military families or the JBLM community.

In 2015 the hall of fame award was named for retired Lt. Gen. William H. Harrison who served as the commander of I Corps at JBLM from 1987 to 1989, and who became the first mayor of the City of Lakewood in 1995. Harrison was inducted into the JBLM Civilian Hall of Fame with the second class of inductees in 2005.

Mary Findlay is the 25th inductee into the JBLM Civilian Hall of Fame.

Past inductees include (listed by title or position at the time of the award):

2016 -- John and Margaret Farrell, Farelli's and McNamara's restaurants

2016 -- John Caulfield, city manager, City of Lakewood

2015 -- Amy Tiemeyer, America's Credit Union, Association of the United States Army

2014 -- Joan Shalikashvili, USO, Puget Sound

2013 -- Carlene Joseph, Harborstone Credit Union, AUSA

2012 -- Tamara Jenkins, mayor, City of DuPont

2012 -- Ken Swarner, Swarner Communications

2011 -- Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Herb Schmeling, USO, AUSA, Sergeants Major Association, Fisher House

2011 -- Janice Buckley, Operation Homefront

2010 -- Mike Fried, volunteer, 201st Battlefield Surveillance Brigade

2010 -- Denise Dhane, Operation Make A Soldier Smile

2010 -- Vicky Mohler, Support America's Armed Forces, Operation Santa

2007 -- Nadine Gulit, Operation Support Our Troops

2007 -- Al Eckroth, Military Family Support March (Lacey)

2006 -- Kathy Turner, mayor, City of Puyallup

2006 -- Marion Sydenham-Ball, volunteer, Lewis Army Museum

2005 -- Dick Muri, councilmember, Pierce County

2005 -- Rep. Adam Smith, U.S. Representative

2005 -- Retired Lt. Gen. Bill Harrison, mayor, City of Lakewood

2004 -- Mark Foutch, mayor, City of Olympia

2004 -- Ron Lucas, mayor, Town of Steilacoom

2004 -- Richard Beaver, deputy mayor, City of Lacey

2004 -- Doc Hastings, U.S. Representative

2004 -- Norm Dicks, U.S. Representative

Related Links:

JBLM News

JBLM Suits for Service Members