PHILADELPHIA –
Two Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support employees were recognized for their 68 years of combined service during a retirement ceremony Sept. 26 in Philadelphia.
Anita Parker, a lead procurement analyst with the Procurement Process Support office, retired with 34 years of service. Philip DiBabbo, a business specialist with Medical, also retired with 34 years of service.
Army Brig. Gen. Mark Simerly, DLA Troop Support commander, presided over the ceremony. He expressed his gratitude for the retirees’ support of the warfighter and noted their impact on Troop Support.
“You are both a part of the rich legacy of support and excellent reputation that Troop Support has built … for that I am truly grateful,” Simerly said.
Parker first entered federal service in 1984 at the Defense Personnel Support Center, a legacy organization of DLA Troop Support, as a contract specialist in the Medical pharmaceutical division. She is retiring from her current position as a team lead for the contract quality review program and warrant reviews.
Parker said that she’ll miss her team, especially that “wonderful group of people” she’s worked and traveled with for the last 17 years.
She looks forward to taking time in her retirement to improve herself mentally, physically and spiritually.
DiBabbo entered federal service in 1975 as a Summer Aid - Supply Clerk at the Naval Finance Office and Internal Revenue Service Mid-Atlantic Region. He joined DLA in 1985 as a supply clerk with the Defense Personnel Support Center’s Medical supply chain. He retires from his current position as a business specialist in the medical/surgical division.
He said the team he is retiring from in Medical has felt “like a family.” He urged all employees to be proud of their support of the nation. And he said that all of his memories of DLA were positive, but he’ll enjoy the autonomy of retirement.
“I’m looking forward to doing what I want to do, enjoying life more and just me being the boss,” DiBabbo said.
DiBabbo’s retirement plans include traveling and joining a gym.