PHILADELPHIA –
With nearly a century of combined service, three civilian employees from the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support were honored during a joint retirement ceremony May 28, bidding farewell to careers marked by profound change, steadfast dedication and selfless service.
The ceremony celebrated the contributions of Rosanna Mastrangelo, who retired from the Procurement office with 43 years of service, David Hartranft from Business Process Support with 35 years and Christopher Eads from the Strategic Initiative Group with 20 years.
Army Brig. Gen. Sean P. Kelly, DLA Troop Support commander, presided over the event and spoke of the immense collective impact the three retirees had on the organization and its mission of supporting the nation’s warfighters. Kelly acknowledged that their careers spanned numerous global conflicts, humanitarian crises and the unprecedented challenges of a global pandemic.
"Through all of it, your commitment to our mission remained steadfast," Kelly said. "As you begin the next chapter of your life, please know that you are deeply woven into the fabric of this great organization and our 226-year history.
“Your faces know the dust and sweat of hard-fought challenges,” he continued. “You spent yourselves in a worthy cause, and you have earned the triumph of high achievement. That is the legacy you leave behind."
Each retiree was awarded the DLA Meritorious Civilian Service Award, along with certificates of appreciation and letters of commendation recognizing their decades of service.
Mastrangelo, who was praised by her supervisors as the "quiet force" behind complex contract announcements, reflected on a career that began in a world vastly different from today's. She witnessed the evolution from typewriters and telephone messages to the digital age, all while building invaluable relationships.
"When I first started way back in 1982, things were very different,” Mastrangelo said. “There were no computers, people smoked at their desk, and the desk phones actually rang. Over the years, I watched so much change, not just in technology, but in the way we work. It has been my honor to have served this many years, and I feel truly blessed to have had a wonderful career that has given me a good life and the opportunity to work alongside so many incredible people, many of whom have become lifelong friends."
Hartranft, a veteran of the Army Reserve and Air Force Reserve, was recognized for his technical achievements, including designing custom database tools that increased productivity and streamlined daily tasks for his colleagues. He spoke of the deep sense of gratitude and honor he felt for his career and his country.
"For me, it's all about thankfulness; I'm just humbled that God has provided so many things," Hartranft said. "We worked together, we had issues together and we became friends. I walk out of here with such pride for the American flag and the country that we live in, the freedom that we have. It's just overwhelming when I hear the anthem play, and I think of all the people who sacrificed themselves in government service to help others."
Eads, who retired from the Army National Guard as a lieutenant colonel, brought a unique perspective to DLA Troop Support, having been on the receiving end of its supply chains long before joining the workforce. His career was instrumental in the organization's Audit Readiness and Enterprise Risk Management initiatives.
"During my 28 years in the Reserves, I never realized every single thing that I wore, ate or used, the medications, the boots, the patches, everything was from DLA; I had no clue," Eads said. "Prior to becoming a DLA employee 10 years ago, I was your customer, and you served me well. I'm grateful for that. Everybody here is a patriot, and I feel your patriotism. It's humbling."
The ceremony concluded with a final round of applause, honoring three individuals who, in the words of the commander, were truly "in the arena," dedicating their professional lives to ensuring America's warfighters are the best equipped in the world.