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Team V member marks 40 years of service
VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- In December 1958, Vandenberg launched its first ballistic missile, the medium-range Thor, and by 1966 the base had refurbished a facility that became the first Titan launch complex.
Many people have come and gone from Vandenberg since 1966, but one face has remained and probably will for some time to come.
On July 24, Mamie Kennedy, 30th Mission Support Group accounting technician, was presented an award for 40 years of service.
Mrs. Kennedy wasn't at Vandenberg to witness the first ballistic missile launch but does remember hearing her first missile launch after arriving at Vandenberg in 1966 with her husband.
"We were living in east housing and the missile launched at night," Mrs. Kennedy said. "I don't remember what kind it was but I do remember being quite frightened and my husband holding me."
The missiles haven't gotten any quieter or infrequent, but there have been noticeable changes on base since the Kennedys' first arrival.
"I remember there being a lot more military on the base," Mrs. Kennedy said.
Mrs. Kennedy's first job on Vandenberg was a waitress at the Officer's Club, and soon she moved over to waitress at the Non-Commissioned Officer's Club.
"When I was waitressing at the NCO Club, there were over 5,000 members," Mrs. Kennedy said with enthusiasm.
Today there are far less than 5,000 members and even less enlisted members, according to the Pacific Coast Club, and Mrs. Kennedy has moved from being a waitress to an member of the 30th MSG accounting team.
"Mamie is an invaluable member of the team because she can always be relied upon to do what is needed, goes above and beyond doing just her job and, with over 40 years of experience, she is a wealth of information and knows her job like the back of her hand," said Barbara Horton, 30th MSG non-appropriated funds accounting manager.
Vandenberg will continue to make advances in the world of space and missile development, base commanders will come and go gas prices will even continue to fluctuate, but Mrs. Kennedy will remain a Team Vandenberg member.
"I will continue working at Vandenberg as long as I possibly can," Mrs. Kennedy said. "I love this place, I love my job, Vandenberg is home and my co-workers are like family; where else would I rather be?"