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Jacqueline Walker celebrates 50 years of service

  • Published
  • By Pascual Flores
  • Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  More than 200 friends and family members gathered to honor Jacqueline Walker for 50 years of federal service during a ceremony here Nov. 9.

"The past fifty years seemed like 10," said Walker, a resident of Mount Holly, N.J. "I actually started unofficially working at the NCO Club swimming pool snack bar in the summer of '64."

For the next 22 years, Walker would have an evolving relationship with then-Fort Dix in the systems accounting section and secretary to the NCO Club manager. She would move on to managerial positions at the Class Six store, bowling center before completing half a century of service with the 87th Force Support Squadron Child and Youth Program.

"When I started in 1965, it was an accident, I had a flat tire, didn't have any money, there was snow on the ground, wearing high-heel shoes and the closest place was the NCO Club," she said. "When I left the club, I had a fixed tire and a job."

For Walker, being on a military base was nothing new. The daughter of a retired Army warrant officer and spouse of an Army Soldier, Walker has travelled all around the world and has spent most of her life dealing with the military.

"She has experienced a lot of changes and it is her flexibility and willingness to change and learn new things are what have kept her here so long," said Cathleen Spiegel, Child and Youth Program, central registration coordinator.

Working on a military for five decades, Walker has seen many service members deploy on missions overseas during times of war.

"The most memorable memory was the compassion and pride I felt during the Desert Storm War, where the men and women left their civilian life and go to war," said Walker. "I will always remember the feelings I had for them."

Walker has spent the last 20 years working with the Child and Youth Program.

"She worked tirelessly supporting the children care at various facilities here on the joint base," said Karl Hoover, Exceptional Family Military Program, family support coordinator. "Her support throughout the years has been greatly appreciated. Jackie believed in never looking back to what might have been but always looking forward to the future."

Walker was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation on behalf of Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh; and a personal letter, coin and 50-year certificate from Col. Frederick D. Thaden, JB MDL and 87th Air Base Wing commander.

The 50-year pin was pinned on Walker by her son Bill Sauire and daughter Jacqueline Acero-Pilkington.

"I am very proud to have worked for the military, it is family, it does not matter what service they're in, they are all the same and you become friends and family," said Walker.