TTI’s U.S. military veterans received a standing ovation from their colleagues in recognition of their service to country at TTI Day. The 38 veterans at TTI, representing all branches of the military, were honored during the program. Executive Associate Director Bill Stockton called each veteran to the stage, naming his or her branch of the service.
As a special surprise, Holly Crenshaw, director of Facilities, Safety and Support Services, and Katie Womack, senior research scientist in the Center for Transportation Safety, received the Patriot Award from the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, a U.S. Department of Defense organization. The award recognizes outstanding support of employees who are in the U.S. Navy Reserve. Stuart Denner, safety coordinator, nominated Crenshaw for the award, and Mike Guidry, research associate, nominated Womack. Denner and Guidry are members of the same unit and are scheduled to be deployed to Afghanistan this fall. Chief Ernesto Limón and Commander Keith Gartner presented the awards.
Following the award presentations, Guidry presented Quinn Brackett, senior research scientist in the Center for Transportation Safety, with a replica of the RF-4C Phantom II aircraft that Brackett flew in Vietnam.
Jay Kimbrough, special advisor to The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents and a Vietnam veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, described the A&M System’s military-friendly project that he initiated two years ago. The initiative assists returning veterans with the transition to civilian life and seeks to ensure that they are aware of A&M System employment opportunities and student benefits.
“I’m here because on May 10, 1967, my platoon sergeant saved me,” Kimbrough said. “That’s why I’m here, because of the men and women that serve and continue to serve and sacrifice.” “When we started this project, there was no agency more immediately responsive than TTI, and I thank you for that.”
The TTI employees who are U.S. military veterans are as follows: Marty Boardman, Quinn Brackett, Edward Brackin, Dock Burke, Joe Button, Todd Carlson, Michael Davis, Stuart Denner, Charles Glover, Mike Guidry, Clyde Hance, Eddie Haug, Debbie Jasek, Paul Krugler, Dallas Little, Robert Lytton, Dudley May, Marion McElvogue, Nick McLarty, Dan Middleton, Jeff Miles, Curtis Morgan, Les Olson, Jeff Perry, Nathanael Proctor, Darryl Puckett, Herb Richardson, Don Saylak, Roger Smith, Chip Sosa, Clifford Spiegelman, Bill Stockton, Bob Trotter, Patricia Turner, Jim Voss, Walter Winkelmann, Dick Zimmer and Dan Zollinger.
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