Soldier for life: Former paratrooper recognized for civilian service

By Julie A KelemenJuly 29, 2021

Col. Jeremy St. Laurent, commander, 597th Transportation Brigade, presented Tony Perez with the Meritorious Civilian Service Award during an award ceremony at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va. July 28.
Col. Jeremy St. Laurent, commander, 597th Transportation Brigade, presented Tony Perez with the Meritorious Civilian Service Award during an award ceremony at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va. July 28. (Photo Credit: Julie A Kelemen) VIEW ORIGINAL

Col. Jeremy St. Laurent, commander, 597th Transportation Brigade, presented Orlando Perez with the Meritorious Civilian Service Award during a ceremony at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va. July 28.

The Meritorious Civilian Service Award is the second highest award and medal provided to civilian employees within agencies of the federal government of the United States.

During his remarks, St. Laurent said that it is an absolute honor to present the award to a fellow paratrooper and thanked Perez for his contributions to the U.S. Army through a lifetime of service; first as a Sergeant Major and later as a Department of the Army civilian.

Civilian recognized for lifetime of service to the U.S. Army transportation mission at ceremony
1 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Personnel assigned to the 597th Transportation Brigade gathered to congratulation Orlando (Tony) Perez on earning the award and for 12 years of service to the brigade. Perez's responsibilities included property accountability, building management and fleet management. (Photo Credit: Julie Kelemen) VIEW ORIGINAL
Civilian recognized for lifetime of service to the transportation mission at ceremony
2 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Col. Jeremy St. Laurent, commander, 597th Transportation Brigade, presented Tony Perez with the Meritorious Civilian Service Award during an award ceremony at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va. July 28.
(Photo Credit: Julie Kelemen)
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Soldier for Life: Civilian earns second highest honor at ceremony
3 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Col. Jeremy St. Laurent, commander, 597th Transportation Brigade, presented Tony Perez with the Meritorious Civilian Service Award during an award ceremony at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va. July 28.
(Photo Credit: Julie Kelemen)
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Transportation unit supply specialist earns second highest honor for civilian service
4 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Larry Lawrence, John Lyons and other personnel assigned to the 597th Transportation Brigade gathered to recognize Orlando "Tony" Perez for significant efforts during his 12-year career as a supply specialist at the 597th Transportation Brigade at Fort Eustis, Va. July 28. (Photo Credit: Julie Kelemen) VIEW ORIGINAL
Civilian recognized for lifetime of service to the U.S. Army transportation mission at ceremony
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Personnel assigned to the 597th Transportation Brigade gathered to congratulation Orlando (Tony) Perez on earning the award and for 12 years of service to the brigade. Perez's responsibilities included property accountability, building management and fleet management. (Photo Credit: Julie Kelemen) VIEW ORIGINAL
Civilian recognized for lifetime of service to the transportation mission at ceremony
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Col. Jeremy St. Laurent, commander, 597th Transportation Brigade, presented Tony Perez with the Meritorious Civilian Service Award during an award ceremony at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va. July 28.
(Photo Credit: Julie Kelemen)
VIEW ORIGINAL
Soldier for Life: Civilian earns second highest honor at ceremony
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Col. Jeremy St. Laurent, commander, 597th Transportation Brigade, presented Tony Perez with the Meritorious Civilian Service Award during an award ceremony at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va. July 28.
(Photo Credit: Julie Kelemen)
VIEW ORIGINAL
Civilian recognized for lifetime of service to the U.S. Army transportation mission at ceremony
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Personnel assigned to the 597th Transportation Brigade gathered to congratulation Orlando (Tony) Perez on earning the award and for 12 years of service to the brigade. Perez's responsibilities included property accountability, building management and fleet management. (Photo Credit: Julie Kelemen) VIEW ORIGINAL
Civilian recognized for lifetime of service to the transportation mission at ceremony
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Col. Jeremy St. Laurent, commander, 597th Transportation Brigade, presented Tony Perez with the Meritorious Civilian Service Award during an award ceremony at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va. July 28.
(Photo Credit: Julie Kelemen)
VIEW ORIGINAL
Civilian recognized for lifetime of service to the U.S. Army transportation mission at ceremony
Personnel assigned to the 597th Transportation Brigade gathered to congratulation Orlando (Tony) Perez on earning the award and for 12 years of service to the brigade. Perez's responsibilities included property accountability, building management and fleet management. (Photo Credit: Julie Kelemen) VIEW ORIGINAL

As the unit supply specialist, Perez played a major role in supplying the brigade with everything needed to keep the facilities working, fleet running and property accounted for.

"Every organization needs individuals that beat the pavement and are not afraid to get their hands dirty and roll up their sleeves and go to work. We are definitely going to miss him," Command Sgt. Major Lonnie Gabriel.

After Perez was pinned with the medal, the rapid supporters lined up to shake his hand and wish him good luck.