Troop Support salutes three July retirees totaling 89 years of service

Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support honored three civilian retirees in a joint ceremony July 28, celebrating 89 years of combined federal service and the impact they made on the organization’s mission under the leadership of Army Brig. Gen. Sean P. Kelly.

“I am absolutely honored to be here with you all to celebrate unwavering commitment, selfless service and the legacy of three of our great Troop Support teammates,” Kelly said.

Kelly also recognized the families of the retirees for their support throughout lengthy careers marked by demanding schedules and high-stakes requirements. “I am sure there are more than one instance of (temporary duty) trips,” Kelly said, “deployments, powering through last-minute meetings, maybe missing some important family or school events, all to ensure our service members had what they needed to complete their mission.” He added, “Please know that your support to our retirees throughout their career enabled them to deliver first class support to our warfighters around the world,” Kelly said.

At the ceremony, Kelly presented each retiree with the DLA Meritorious Civilian Service Award, along with certificates of appreciation and letters of commendation.

The honorees included Liz Settles, who concluded 43 years of service as chief of the Business Process Support Technical Quality Division; Paul DiMarco, a Subsistence Quality Assurance specialist retiring after 26 years; and Dean Schoendorfer, Integrated Supply Team chief in Clothing and Textiles, retiring after 20 years. Supervisors credited Settles with a lasting influence on technical and quality assurance programs, including her work as an instructor at the DLA Training Center, where her award citation noted she maintained the “DLA quality workforce.”

“I’m going to miss all of you,” Settles said. “It’s been many years starting from the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia. I can see some of you are still here from many years ago. I just want to thank you all for your consistency, your friendship, your understanding and your diligence. I really appreciate working with every one of you, thank you.”

DiMarco, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, was recognized by his supervisor for his “unwavering commitment to the nation’s defense.” He reflected on the camaraderie that defined his time at Troop Support. “It is with a tremendous amount of gratitude that I’m here today,” DiMarco said. “I would not be here if not for all my colleagues, who have made (working at Troop Support) an absolute joy. They supported me as much as possible. They were truly an inspiration. I’m going to be sad not to see their faces every morning.”

Schoendorfer, also a Marine Corps veteran, was lauded for leadership that improved processes and support to troops. “I just want to thank General Kelly, Mr. Mosher, Mr. Kenny and Subsistence leadership for attending today,” Schoendorfer said. “I am confident we have a lot of superstars out there and they’ll continue with excellent missions for the warfighter.”