Several White Sands Missile Range retirees were recognized during an April 16 Honors and Retirement ceremony at the Post Theater.
WSMR Commander Brig. Gen. George C. Turner recognized the following individuals with certificates of retirement: Larry Alejo, Ira Cooke, Raul Grajeda, Florencio Medina, Ronald Olson, and Gregory Vickers. Each of them was presented with a certificate of retirement, a length of service certificate, a certificate of appreciation and a Meritorious Civilian Service Medal.
Alejo is retiring after more than 46 years of civilian service at WSMR. He joined the Instrumentation Directorate and worked there for most of his career. During those years one of his most significant accomplishments was being recognized for his project team leadership for the in-house development of a new Range Control System which was used to coordinate all activities required in the accomplishment of a Range test schedule in support of programs.
“It was an honor and a privilege to work here at WSMR. It also provided our livelihood for the past 46 years,” Alejo said. “It was an enjoyable and fulfilling experience that I will never forget.”
Cooke is retiring after a combined 48 years of service as military active, military reserve and federal civil service. He began his tenure at WSMR in Flight Safety where he contributed to a wide variety of projects including Hera, Juno, Patriot, Spaceport, Research Rockets, AMRAAM, and student rockets.
“I want to remind people that this is a different job from working for a company. As a civil servant you take an oath to the Constitution. To me it is a higher calling, the idea of service to your nation.”
Cooke said he and his family will probably start doing some travelling and getting involved with organizations in town again.
Grajeda is retiring after more than 37 years of civilian service at WSMR. He started his career at WSMR in March of 1988 as a general engineer at Rock Island Arsenal doing quality assurance and preparing test plans and reports. As the team leader for the Metallurgy Laboratory at WSMR he oversaw work assignments, conducted meetings, and managed laboratory operations. He developed procedures for NDT, radiation safety, and failure analysis.
“I want to thank my family for their support, especially my wife for getting up with me to get ready for those early morning missions,” Grajeda said. “Working along with such an incredible team for 38 years has been an absolute privilege. I learned a lot and built friendships that I will cherish forever.”
Medina is retiring after more than 38 years of civil service at WSMR. His job series began as an Electronic Technician and has evolved to mostly an operator as a Telecommunications Specialist. He worked at all the Frequency surveillance stations on the range, McGregor Range, and El Paso Spectrum Monitoring System.
“I want to thank the United States Government, the Army, and our Nation for the opportunity to work here at WSMR for 38 years. It has been challenging but very enriching. I am grateful for working with many of you. The only thing I won’t miss is the variable tour,” Median said. “I thank my family for being there for me.”
Olson is retiring after more than 40 years of civilian service at WSMR. For the first 16 years he worked as a weapon systems analyst dealing primarily with the Patriot Air Defense system. He supported live fire missile testing at Reagan Test Center, Marshall Islands, and various radar surveillance test missions.
“Thank you for the recognition. Just remember that it is always a team here at WSMR. Our success has always been because of the great support and the interaction between everyone here at Team White Sands.”
Vickers is retiring after more than 38 years of civilian service at WSMR. He started his career in 1987 in the engineering intern rotation program and then was assigned as an assistant project engineer assigned to Directed Energy programs. He is responsible for the reopening of the Fort Wingate Launch Complex and flight corridor. He was assigned as Deputy Director Materiel Test Directorate with oversight of Army materiel testing at WSMR. He was also assigned as Deputy Director Range Operations and Chief Program Management Division, Materiel Test Directorate.
“I was lucky enough to be involved in a lot of things. I am grateful to have been involved in the reopening of the Fort Wingate Launch Complex. Our success was due to all of the dedicated staff that we have here at WSMR.”
In addition, several WSMR employees received Length of Service Awards, Certificates of Achievement and Civilian Honorary Awards.
Turner also presented the Commander’s Cup to the 3-6 AMD for outstanding achievement and esprit de corps during this year’s competition.
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