PHILADELPHIA –
A Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support employee was honored during a retirement ceremony June 28.
Paul Ferrante, a contract specialist with the Medical supply chain, leaves after 34 years of service.
Army Brig. Gen. Mark Simerly, DLA Troop Support commander, officiated the ceremony and thanked Ferrante for his dedication to duty, to the agency and to the country.
“We have the opportunity to thank Paul formally for the support he’s given to our warfighters across the globe,” Simerly said.
Simerly also thanked Ferrante’s family for attending the ceremony.
“It’s a great day for the Ferrante family, but it’s bittersweet to lose someone of Paul’s caliber, experience and talent,” Simerly said. “But we know our loss is his family’s gain.”
Ferrante’s spouse, Teri, retired from DLA Troop Support in 2016. And their two sons are currently employed by the agency.
“The Ferrante family is still a part of the DLA Troop Support family, and we’re very fortunate for that,” Simerly said.
Ferrante first entered federal service in 1984 with the Defense Industrial Supply Center. In 1996, he transferred to the Subsistence supply chain before taking his current position in 2005.
“It’s quite an honor to be recognized here by everyone during this occasion,” Ferrante said. “It’s been a great experience here over the years and it’s hard to leave.”
He said that he’ll miss the comradery of working alongside his colleagues and that he’s looking forward to relaxing and not having to be on the clock every day.
“I’ve been working since I was 13 years old,” Ferrante said. “It’s a long time to be working and it’s time to go,” Ferrante said.