FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. (May 26, 2011) - Installation Commander Col. Daniel L. Thomas was honored for his leadership during his tenure as Fort Meade's garrison commander by local business and civic leaders at a farewell luncheon and recognition ceremony May 18 at Club Meade.
During the two-hour event, Reps. C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger and John Sarbanes, whose districts are directly impacted by the installation and its personnel, also commended Thomas for his stewardship of the installation during the implementation of BRAC.
"He was here at a very important time for the base, for Maryland and for this region," Sarbanes said. "He handled all of the things that were coming at him with aplomb. He really did a wonderful, wonderful job."
Ruppersberger called Thomas "a tremendous American."
The Fort Meade Alliance co-hosted the event, along with the BWI Business Partnership and the West Anne Arundel County Chamber of Commerce.
Rosemary Budd, president of the Fort Meade Alliance, praised Thomas for his dedication to the Fort Meade community.
"I am extremely humbled by all of this," Thomas said at the tribute. "I'm just doing my job. ... My job is fun and I love it. This is the greatest job in the world."
A special tribute was a proclamation from the office of Gov. Martin O'Malley declaring May 18, 2011 as "Colonel Daniel L. Thomas Day."
The business community also pledged to donate four batting cages to the installation's new Youth Sports Complex, which is now under construction, in honor of Thomas, who promoted physical fitness during his tenure.
Thomas also received honorary membership on the West Anne Arundel County Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee. As a departing gift, members of the local business community gave the colonel a collection of multicolored stress balls, one of the colonel's favorite indulgences.
Distinguished guests included retired Brig. Gen. J. Michael Hayes of the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development; Paul Wiedefeld of the Maryland Aviation Administration; Andy Scott of the Maryland Department of Transportation; Kay Hill of the National Security Agency; Dave Bullock of the Defense Information Systems Agency; State Delegate Pam Beidle; Asuntha Chiang-Smith of the governor's office; and Bob Leib of Anne Arundel County government.
Thomas will step down as installation commander July 26, relinquishing command to Col. Edward Rothstein.
He will retire after serving more than 25 years in the Army. He assumed command of Fort Meade in 2008 from Col. Kenneth O. McCreedy, who has since retired from the military.
Under Thomas' leadership, Fort Meade has welcomed the Defense Information Systems Agency, the Defense Media Activity, the Department of Defense's new Adjudication Headquarters and U.S. Cyber Command.
He also supported the establishment of the installation's Warrior in Transition Soldier Family Assistance Center, which was furnished with more than $100,000 in donations from the Fort Meade Alliance and the USO of Metropolitan Washington. Fort Meade recently received the U.S. Army Quality of Life Partnership Award in recognition of the effort.
As installation commander, Thomas presided over a $150 million budget and provided infrastructure for more than 90 tenant organizations on post.
Denise Nooe, a representative of Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski's office, read a letter from the senator praising Thomas for his hard work and for prevailing in challenging situations.
"Your Soldiers will miss you, your sure leadership and your contributions to the Fort Meade team," Nooe said.
Heather Campbell, a representative of Sen. Benjamin L. Cardin's office, said Thomas engaged the Fort Meade community and highlighted the installation's critical role for the country.
During his thank-you remarks, Thomas thanked everyone while briefly mentioning his impending retirement.
"It's coming up too quickly," he said. "I am not prepared for it. I don't like to talk about it. ... I'll miss you."
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