It's something worth noting: Warrior of the North retires after 47 years

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Luis Loza Gutierrez
  • 319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  A Warrior of the North recently concluded one of the longest federal service careers in the history of Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D.

Dianne Kraemer, the former unit program coordinator for the 319th Civil Engineer Squadron, retired after 47-years of federal service during a special recognition ceremony held May 1 here.

More than 100 fellow Warriors of the North, family and friends attended the event. Among the crowd were many base senior leaders to include the commander of the 319th Air Base Wing, Col. Paul Bauman, who expressed his appreciation for Kraemer's service by presenting her with his challenge coin along with a few words.

"When people think of what an Airman looks like, especially those outside the military, they typically imagine someone in uniform like many of us here today. But we also have civilian Airmen who make up a vital part of the Air Force's total force concept," said Bauman.

"Our Air Force would simply not be able to accomplish many of the important missions and milestones in our service's history without the hard work and dedication of our civilian force. And when you have served for as long as Dianne has, you know she must have played an important part in making some of those important missions and milestones happen, especially those here at Grand Forks Air Force Base. That's why when I heard she was retiring I said to myself I had to come because a career of forty-seven years is not just rare, it's something worth noting."

Kraemer, worked in various sections of the civil engineering squadron during her 47-year career. She began working at Grand Forks AFB in November of 1966. She worked for the housing maintenance and heating plant section, went to the orderly room, and in 1970 she started in an engineering flight where she worked until receiving a promotion and returning back to the orderly room in October 2009.

Les Canaar, 319th CES deputy base civil engineer, put the Grafton, N.D. native's tenure in perspective by reminding the audience that Kraemer began her career here when the Cold War with the Soviet Union began and she had witnessed and played a part in numerous projects and mission from cradle to grave such as the implementation and removal of the Minute Man III missiles and the start and finish of the air refueling mission.

The work and experience in the various sections afforded her the respect and affection of her colleagues past and present.

"Mrs. Kraemer is a great resource of help and knowledge," said Staff Sgt. Cornell Frazier, who worked with Kraemer for approximately six months at the 319th CES commander's support staff before becoming the new Airman dormitory leader.

Another uniformed member who expressed appreciation for Kraemer was the NCO in charge of the 319th CES commander's support staff, Staff Sgt. Krystal Jones, who jokingly cried out, "Noooooooo!," when news about Kraemer's retirement was repeated at a previous squadron function.

"I have to admit when I first got here Mrs. Kraemer and I didn't always get along, but as time went by our relationship improved, and no matter what differences in feelings or opinions we may have had, I always valued and respected her for her service, her positive attitude about getting the mission done and her impressive memory. This lady seemed to remember everything like an elephant," said Jones. "Those qualities among others are what made her an anchor for this unit."

As one final gesture of recognition for what some crowd members described as a glorious career, Canaar presented Kraemer with the Outstanding Civilian Career Service Award. The medal presentation was witnessed by a group of Kraemer's relatives, which included her two granddaughters, Alexis and Aubriell, who smiled proudly as they watched their father, Michael, pin the medal on their grandma.

The smiles may have been a small sign of the obvious feelings of pride and joy others expressed to Kraemer that day. Nevertheless, it was meaningful gesture in the final chapter of a storied career that was worth noting.