MARINE CORPS AIR STATION BEAUFORT, S.C. -- The contributions and devo¬tion to duty of Department of Defense and nonappropriated fund employees of Marine Corps Community Services were rec¬ognized during a Civilian Ap¬preciation Day at Afterburners, Nov 3.
The MCCS sponsored event was attended by Col. Brian Murtha, Air Station command¬ing officer, who gave a speech during the event to acknowledge the hard work and dedication ci¬vilians have invested.
Command¬er Charles Kessler, Air Station command Chaplain, also provid¬ed prayer for the participants.
“It is important to have a Civil¬ian Appreciation Day because [civilian employees] are a part of the team and it is important to acknowledge their contributions,” said Gunnery Sgt. Tamara McMillan, a Bellwood, Ill., native, Air Station equal opportunity advisor and event coordinator.
As a sign of appreciation, certifi¬cates were given out to DoD employees who have served the gov¬ernment for five years or more.
Among the employees was Dennis Trimmer, a Chambersburg, Pa., na¬tive, and retired first sergeant with 21 years of active duty service.
“It feels great to know Col. Murtha truly believes and fully supports us as true members of the team,” said Trimmer, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island and Air Station Transition Assistance Program manager. “Just like in the Corps, there are not many pats on the back in the civilian world, so it feels great to be recognized.”
The event provided a sense of camaraderie between civilians and service members as each other’s company was enjoyed with food, entertainment and appreciation that will carry them forward to help in completing the day-to-day mission aboard the Air Station.