USAG Bavaria Honors Record Number of 45‑Year Employees at Length of Service Ceremony

TOWER BARRACKS, Germany — U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria recognized 54 long‑serving employees during its Length of Service Ceremony Oct. 2, 2026 at the Tower View Conference Center, celebrating the dedication, loyalty and professionalism of personnel who have supported the garrison for decades.

Leaders thanked the honorees for their commitment and emphasized how long-term service strengthens continuity, institutional knowledge and community support.

Col. Derek G. Drouin opened the ceremony by welcoming host‑nation leaders, civic partners and honorees.

“This ceremony is about recognizing your achievements and thanking you for the lasting impact you have had on this garrison, our mission, and our communities,” he said.

This year’s ceremony honored employees with service milestones ranging from 20 to 45 years, with the largest group – 18 employees – recognized for 45 years of service, marking the first time in the garrison’s history that the 45‑year cohort was the largest.

Col. Drouin spoke about the significance of decades‑long dedication across changing missions in the Army and in Bavaria.

“Through it all, you have provided continuity, expertise, and stability,” he said. “You are trusted professionals, subject-matter experts, and an essential part of the institutional knowledge that sustains U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria.”

Among the honorees was Rosalinde Claus, recognized for 45 years of service, currently working in information technology administrative operations.

“Professional development has always been supported throughout my career,” she said. “When I started working here, it was fascinating to learn about American culture. Working in customer service in my early years allowed me to meet many people and build friendships that have lasted decades, and that is something I truly appreciate.”

The ceremony also honored Christian Dilling, an IT project manager celebrating 30 years of service.

“Over the years, I’ve had every opportunity to grow and learn whatever I wanted,” Dilling said. “After six departments and many different roles, I can say I’ve always had a great team and strong support from leadership. Every day is different, and there’s a new challenge waiting – that’s what makes the job so interesting. … I also appreciate that we have the chance to train apprentices, pass on our knowledge and guide them as they develop, so that one day we can work alongside them as colleagues.”

Clifford Leach, accountable officer for the Logistics Readiness Center – Bavaria’s central issue facilities at Vilseck and Hohenfels, also shared reflections on his career.

“It’s quite an honor for me,” he said. “For 35 years I’ve been working with the Army, supporting the Army, which I love to do. I love supporting Soldiers and I love being around Soldiers. Once a Soldier, always a Soldier. I feel at home here.”

“I am the only American on my team,” Leach continued. “My whole team is local national – but they are some of the best local nationals I’ve ever worked with, and I’m proud to call them my team.”

Leadership applauded the honorees for contributions spanning decades, noting that the garrison’s success relies on employees who bring deep expertise, continuity and long‑standing commitment to the mission.

Honorees:

45 Years (18 employees)

Arnold, Reiner
Bauer, Albert
Biermeier, Willi
Claus, Rosalinde
Danzer, Wolfgang
Fodor, Peter A.
Heinisch, Elisabeth
Hohlruether, Claudia Maria
Kliebhan, Roland
Latorre, Angel M.
Lehl, Hermann
Plannerer, Max‑Josef
Reid, Joseph A.
Reil, Gerhard
Roesler, Peter
Siegler, Josef
Soellner, Guenter
Weinert, Reinhold

40 years (4 employees)

Brown‑Lathan, Sonya Valeria
Fox, William F.
Hall, William David
Lang, Josef

35 years (2 employees)

Kastl‑Meier, Caecilia
Leach, Cliffard A.

30 years (3 employees)

Brewitzer, Cristi Lynn
Dilling, Christian
Schuster, Michael

25 years (14 employees)

Dering, Iraida
Elkouarati, Zine
Ertl, Florian
Grassler, Michael
Green, Robert J.
Jayawardhena‑Baeumler, Suranga
Krieger, Andreas
Messer, Guenter
Preininger, Oliver
Rosenstrauch, Nathaniel W.
Smith, Marshall Lewis
Sullivan, Yvonne
Tucker, Timothy L.
Wiesend, Bernd

20 years (13 employees)

Baeumler, Melanie
Bauer, Alexander
Bauer, Markus
Cole, Sandra
Eckert, Miriam
Fischer, Patrick
Kahraman, Hasan
Kraus, Stephan
Kugler, Manuel
Luehr, Caroline
Rittner, Dominik
Schatz, Markus
Stewart, Linda B.

Pictures from the ceremony can be found https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjD6GhD.

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