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China Lake

Page 9

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. 1 & 2  -  In the beginning    3        -  Naval Air Facility    4        -  The Ranges    5   -        Doc the B-29    6   -       NAWC Museum

. 1 & 2  -  In the beginning    3        -  Naval Air Facility    4        -  The Ranges    5   -        Doc the B-29    6   -        NAWC Museum

AL BOYACK CELEBRATES 60 YEARS OF FEDERAL SERVICE Released by the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division China Lake, Calif. On July 10, 2005     Robert Al Boyack became the first China Lake employee to complete 60 years of federal service.

The June celebration was attended by family members and coworkers who surprised Boyack with special honors at the China Lake Propulsion Laboratories  Boyack's home since 1955.   His wife of 56 years, Darlene; his daughters, Jean Erickson and Diane Kirshenman, and their husbands, Jim and Ken, respectively; grandson Brad Erickson and his wife Meriel; and two of Al's great-grandchildren CeJaye and Bailey Erickson, all attended the festivities.

Boyack started his career at China Lake in 1945 at the age of 17. He worked in the Public Works Department as a general helper for 83 cents an hour. By 1950, he earned his locksmith rating. Ten years after his hiring date, Boyack became a permanent employee.   In November 1955, he moved into the energetics arena, transferring to the Propellant and Explosives Department, now called the Weapons and Energetics Department. In 1963, Boyack became a machinist, working in the Salt Wells machine shop, later becoming a model maker. In 1985, Boyack achieved the highest model maker status. As his career progressed, he eventually earned a position as an engineering technician.   Deputy Director, Dr. John Robbins said, The Weapons and Energetics Department wishes to thank Al for his 60 years of devoted service. He is respected and loved by all who know him and serves as a shining example of continuity, perseverance, and dedication to all Department employees.

Gifts honoring Boyack's career included a 60-year service certificate, a flag flown from the nation's capitol, a certificate of recognition from Assemblyman Kevin McCarthy, a key to the city of Ridgecrest, and a formal proclamation from Ridgecrest Mayor Chip Holloway declaring July 10 as Al Boyack Day.

A sign erected to memorialize 60 years of Service by Al.

The certificate from the Mayor of Ridgecrest proclaiming July 10th as Al Boyack day and the key to the City of Ridgecrest.

Flag presented by the Navy

California Legislature Certificate of Recognition.

Certificate of Recognition by the Congress

Al's family and the BENCH. (See more about the bench below)

. . . . and now comes the Al Boyack Court

Our heartiest congratulations Al!!! Well Done!!!

When I first put this page up here I wrote a notice in the Webmasters Journal that Al was going to retire. I received an email from him just a day or two later in which he said, "You have made an error there, I have no intention of retiring!!!"  Sure am sorry Al, I just  ASSumed you would.   I have changed that statement, think no more of it!!!

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7   -        The Sidewinder     8    -      Weather    9    -      60 Year FED service    10  -       China Lake named                   National Historic site

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7   -        The Sidewinder     8    -       Weather    9    -      60 Year FED service    10  -       China Lake named                   National Historic site

Ohhhhhh!!!!  So NOW you retire.  You did that on purpose AL!!!! Well, Congratulations on your retirement anyway, Al!!

Here are some additional awards and presentations earned by Mr. Boyack.

Many times while overseas in Viet Nam I used to think of China Lake and what the folks who worked here were doing.  Most of us vets come home with a chest full of ribbons and a certain pride in our craft.  Today you hear a lot about special signs and efforts made by  civilians thanking the military for doing what they do.   I never gave a thought  that we military types ought to be thinking about thanking our civilian counterparts who are developing new and better weaponry and making our job a little safer and simpler.     While authoring This page I started thinking about this.  Look at this man who has given most of his life to just that purpose.  Supporting the troops in the field.      Here in this forum I would like to publicly thank Al and all his fellow workers throughout the nation for their parts in supporting the military and its missions.