MARINE CORPS LOGISTICS BASE ALBANY, Ga. -- In front of a backdrop of an American flag and Marine Corps colors forming a V in a metal flag stand, Maj. Gen. Charles Hudson, commanding general, Marine Corps Logistics Command, recognized two Civilian-Marines for their distinguished service, Aug. 7. Marines, Civilian-Marines and families lined the walls during the ceremony in Marine Depot Maintenance Command’s lobby.
“We have the opportunity to honor two of our Civilian-Marines today, one with a medal and one with 40 years of service to God, country and Corps,” Hudson said.
Hudson presented Steven Allen a Commendation for Meritorious Civilian Service for his service as Site Lead, Marine Depot Maintenance Command Detachment, MCLC (Forward) from November 2011 to June 2012, and Lymas Cowling, project coordinator, Test Measurement Diagnostic Equipment department, MCLC, with a career service award for 40 years.
Allen’s efforts during his overseas deployment were read aloud from the Commendation for Meritorious Civilian Service.
The commanding general praised and described Allen’s accomplishments.
“What is significant behind the piece of paper and the medal that accompanies the citation is the effort that went in during the course of the seven-month deployment in Afghanistan,” Hudson said.
Of particular note were Allen’s efforts to design and construct five environmentally compliant wash racks with recycled parts, according to the Commendation for Meritorious Civilian Service citation. The wash racks performed so well, they received praise from the bases’ environmental engineers. Allen delivered top notch, high quality products everyday through his personal actions and those of his detachment.
“Nothing moves unless it is washed down and agriculturally certified so it can get on airplanes, and without something as relatively simple as wash racks, and this was just one project Steve and his Marines took on, nothing moves out of theater,” Hudson said. “Day in and day out, this man’s leadership, his personal integrity and the courage of his convictions as he told two colonels what could be done and what couldn’t be done and how things could be done, I would tell you he represented us well.”
Allen credited his family and his team for the success of his deployment. Allen’s wife, Debbie, and two daughters, Elisabeth, 25, and Hannah, 14, attended the ceremony.
“I am very appreciative and humbled (by) this award,” Allen said. “I consider this a team award. I couldn’t have done this without my wife, the support I received from my children and the support I received from everybody here at (MDMC), my extended family. What I did over there couldn’t have been accomplished (without their support).”
Cowling received career service award certificates for 40 years of faithful service from the Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus, Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. James Amos and Hudson.
After presenting Cowling with his career service awards, Hudson took a trip back in time to 1972 when Cowling first joined the Navy. Citing he is a big history fan, Hudson, talked about sports and historical events from 1972, which was a leap year.
“Forty years of service - 25 years working with the Navy and then he decided to move over to the Marine Corps,” said Hudson. “A whole bunch of things occurred in the United States in 1972 not the least of which (was) that a young Lymas Cowling decided to begin service for his nation and the Department of the Navy.
“He’s worked aboard eight different aircraft carriers,” Hudson added. “He’s been working here with us for the last 15 years doing wonderful things at Marine Depot Maintenance Command. I thank you for your service to God, country and Corps.”
Cowling thanked his wife, Pat, accounting officer, Office of the Comptroller, Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany, and the MDMC community for its help and support during his service here.
“I thank you Marine Corps for remolding me to the Marine concept,” Cowling said. “It has been a great 40 years and I am looking forward to the next 20 years. I want to thank my lovely wife.”