VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. –
Retired Maj. Gen. Craig Crenshaw, the Virginia Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs, Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia, and retired Brig. Gen. Walt Mercer, Virginia Department of Military Affairs Chief Operations Officer, presented awards to DMA employees as part of a State Employee Recognition Day luncheon May 25, 2022, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
During the presentation, several DMA employees were recognized for both agency-level accomplishments as well as for service anniversaries.
“It’s been two years since we’ve done this and everyone here has gone through a lot to say the least,” Williams told the audience. “We’re finally back together again to recognize some folks and have a great lunch and enjoy the opportunity to come together again.”
Williams took the opportunity to thank the DMA employees for their hard work and dedication.
“Thank you for what you do,” he said. “The hard work that’s been going on at SMR and across the state is clearly evident. Know how much I appreciate what you do. The fact you do it for us, you do it constantly, you do it with a smile, and you do it with professionalism, is extraordinary.”
It was Crenshaw’s first visit to SMR and he also thanked the DMA employees and reminded them of the importance of their hard work to the National Guard’s overall mission.
“Thank you for allowing me to be a part of this day,” Crenshaw said. “To look at all the capabilities that are here and what that brings to the fight is just tremendous. It doesn’t happen by itself and it takes a group to make it happen.”
“The Guard brings tremendous capability to the fight and I’ve had the opportunity to see some of the training and learn about the operations the Guard has performed,” he added. “You should be proud of what you do. There is a level of commitment and level of sacrifice in this organization that you don’t see on a regular basis.”
Service awards were then given to employees for five, 10, 15 and 20 years of service to DMA and top performers received agency-wide awards. Following the awards, Mercer briefed the employees on the results of a recent climate survey as well as plans for some key events planned for the next year before a catered lunch was served.
“It’s great to finally have the chance after two years of COVID-19 restrictions, to gather in person to recognize our star performers, as well as years of state service,” Mercer said. “Having a meal together and celebrating our team was a good event made even better by having Sec. Crenshaw get to meet the SMR team and be with us for the awards presentations.”