PHILADELPHIA –
The Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support celebrated the career of a civilian employee during a retirement ceremony Nov. 21, in Philadelphia.
Ngoc Phung Thi Le, an embroiderer in the DLA Troop Support Flag Room, was honored for her 14 years of federal service.
Air Force Col. Adrian Crowley, chief strategy officer, presided over the ceremony, and said he was proud to recognize someone who’s helped carry on a long-time tradition at Troop Support of hand embroidering presidential and vice presidential flags.
“It is a privilege for me to have this opportunity to celebrate Ngoc Phung, who has given so much of herself in support of our nation’s presidents over the years, and servicemen and women around the world,” Crowley said. “Ngoc Phung, not only did you bring your dedication and commitment into our gem, the Flag Room, but you brought your dynamic talent and artistry to create the beautiful presidential and vice-presidential flags that are viewed on the global stage.”
The Flag Room is the sole producer of the presidential and vice-presidential flags, and its staff are considered the “Betsy Rosses of the 21st century,” for their patriotic flag making. The office also creates a variety of other flags for military and government partners.
Le began her career in 2008 as a sewing machine operator and an embroiderer. Over her 14 years in the flag room, she has hand embroidered several flags including presidential and vice-presidential flags, as well as those for the Air Force, Space Force, high school and university ROTC programs, and Army battalions and brigades.
She said that although her career at Troop Support was not necessarily long-lived, the memories from her time at the organization will stay with her forever.
“Fourteen years of service is a short time, but I’m grateful of my time at DLA,” Le said. “Thank you for allowing me to celebrate my retirement with this wonderful ceremony.”
During the ceremony Le was presented a certificate of retirement, a retirement memento, a pin of recognition, as well as a star note and commander’s coin from DLA Troop Support Commander Army Brig. Gen. Eric Shirley. Le’s husband Trieu Thanh Dang was also presented with a commander’s spouse certificate of appreciation.