21st TSC holds a retreat, retirement ceremony

By Staff Sgt. Tramel S. Garrett, 21st TSC Public AffairsMay 11, 2011

21st TSC holds a retreat, retirement ceremony
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Recent retirees of the 21st Theater Sustainment stand at attention during a retreat and retirement ceremony on Panzer Parade Field at Panzer Kaserne here, April 28. The ceremony paid honor to the lifetime of service of the six personnel of the 21st T... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
21st TSC holds a retreat, retirement ceremony
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Maj. Gen Patricia E. McQuistion, the commanding general of the 21st Theater Sustainment Command, Lt. Col Michael Dorr, the liaison officer for the German Armed Forces Joint Support Command, 21st TSC, and his wife Renate pose for a picture after Dorr ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
21st TSC holds a retreat, retirement ceremony
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Master Sgt. Althea Basnight, the 21st Theater Sustainment Command's logistics management noncommissioned officer in charge, her husband Tyrone and their son Deonte pose for a picture after Master Sgt. Basnight received the American flag during a retr... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany - The 21st Theater Sustainment Command held a retreat and retirement ceremony on the Panzer Parade Field at Panzer Kaserne here, April 28, to honor a lifetime of service and commitment of six 21st TSC personnel.

A retreat ceremony traditionally signals the end of the duty day by lowering the Nation's colors. In Germany, the U.S. and German colors are honored while Soldiers and civilians pay respect to the flags.

Four of the six retirees were Soldiers whose careers spanned from 20 to 35 years. Col. Daniel Sacks, the deputy director, 1st Human Resources Sustainment Center, 31 years of service; Maj. Theodore Williams, the postal operations division deputy, 20 years of service; Master Sgt. Althea Basnight, the logistics management noncommissioned officer in charge, 23 years of service; and Staff Sgt. Abiodun Delu, a supply sergeant, 20 years of service.

"It's (the ceremony) a great honor. I certainly enjoy the opportunity of being here," said Sacks.

Heinz Schneider, from Glanbrucken, Germany, who is a traffic management specialist for the 21st TSC, was the only civilian honored during the ceremony with 40 years of service to the U.S. Army.

For the first time during a 21st TSC retreat and retirement ceremony, a member of the German army, Lt. Col. Michael Dorr, the liaison officer for the German Armed Forces Joint Support Command, 21st TSC, was also honored for his 37 years of military service.

"This was a very outstanding and very impressive ceremony today. I appreciate it," said Dorr. "This ceremony is not done in this manner in the German forces, so I'm glad to retire during my service with the 21st TSC."

The guest speaker at the ceremony was Col. Joseph Tirone, the support operations officer for the 21st TSC. He began his speech by acknowledging the retirees for their dedicated service and praised their family members for their support over the years.

Tirone also gave a heartfelt story of a Soldier who died in combat who gives him the strength to continue to serve his country. Tirone then challenged each audience member to find that someone or something that provides strength to persevere and overcome obstacles.

The retreat and retirement ceremony is a monthly event honoring the service and dedication of 21st TSC members.