Courtesy Photo | Shelyna Mitchell, left, restaurant manager at the Madigan Army Medical Center food...... read more read more
Subscribe
JOINT BASE LEWIS-McCHORD, Wash. – At 94 years old, Julia Santiago is still young at heart. And, she says, a big part of her youthful spirit is her part-time job at the Army & Air Force Exchange Service, her employer for the last 44 years.
“I don’t plan to slow down. I’m very satisfied,” said Santiago, who has two grown children and five grandchildren.
Since 1971, Santiago has devoted herself to military members, families and retirees at Joint Base Lewis-McChord working at the Exchange. Today, she works at the Madigan Army Medical Center Subway.
On May 4, her 94th birthday, Santiago’s co-workers and customers feted her with cards, gifts and cake in the food court — all a surprise.
Santiago grew up in Puerto Rico. After World War II, she worked in New York manufacturing aerial bombing targets. She moved to Washington State with her husband, Sgt. 1st Class Castor Luis Santiago, who served in the Army, including a tour in Vietnam.
At 50 years old, once her two children were grown, Santiago wanted to find employment. A friend suggested the Exchange, and the rest is history.
Paul Claxton, Exchange restaurant business manager, says customers at Madigan regularly seek out Santiago to chat.
“Everyone knows Julia,” Claxton said. “I know of one Soldier who told me he first met Julia when he was stationed here as a resident 20 years ago. Now, 20 years later, Julia is still here and he still makes it part of his day to always stop by and say hello to her.”
Santiago’s wit and charm aren’t slowing down, either. The best part of her job is washing dishes “because no one bothers me,” she said with a laugh.
Joint Base Lewis-McChord Exchange General Manager Patrick McGhee said the Exchange team wanted to do something special to celebrate Santiago’s 94th birthday.
“Julia means a lot to the Madigan community,” he said. “She’s a fixture here.”
For Santiago, the longevity of her career — and her advice to those in the working world — can be explained simply.
“Be nice,” Santiago said. “Be nice to customers. Be nice to managers. Just be nice.”
| Date Taken: | 05.11.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 05.11.2015 14:14 |
| Story ID: | 162898 |
| Location: | FORT LEWIS, WA, US |
| Web Views: | 48 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, At 94, grandmother stays on duty for Soldiers and Airmen, by Julie Mitchell, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT