Another recent change in my work life was the loss of Corine Rodriguez. No, she didn’t do anything as dramatic as dying, but her returning to the U.S. has been devastating nonetheless. Yes, she is that good.

Corine accepted a big promotion with the Army Corps of Engineers in Washington, DC. I can’t fault her for that, especially when she gave me 2 1/2 years of devoted service. And she was lonely here and missed her family. So, it was the saddest of all the many partings I’ve experienced here. Yes, I miss having the go to person on my staff who I could rely on to get the job done right. But she was also my friend and a trusted confidant. As she said when she left, “you are going to miss having a big sister around”. ‘Tis true, ’tis true.

I’ve actually known Corine professionally for many years. We both spent the majority of our careers with the Postal Service. She was one of the few people at Postal Headquarters I could call on and get a straight answer. When I left the States she came to my going away party and I think we both figured it was the last time we would ever see each other. So, I was pleasantly surprised when she applied for a vacancy on my team six months later. Of course, I had the good sense to snatch her up, and her outstanding work made me look like a genius.

She headed up our transformation to the new National Security Personnel System, a major initiative that was extremely high profile. One of those projects that require frequent interaction with command leadership, including the Commanding General. Well, she is quite the charmer, and LTG Valcourt was impressed enough by her performance to present her with one of his coins and the Superior Civilian Service Award.

Corine getting pinned by the CG

The medal presentation took place at the weekly Battle Staff meeting, so all the brass on the Korean Peninsula was in attendance (live or via VTC). Corine told General Valcourt “now I have medals too, just like you!”. Which was funnier live than I make it sound here.

Anyway, Corine did Korea right. Made many friends, was active in church and the community, and did a fair amount of traveling. So she took many fine memories home with her.

Here’s an example of the kind of person Corine is. One weekend per month she spent baking boxes and boxes of cookies to send to our troops in Iraq. And the letters she got back in thanks were always quite moving. The 8th Army Chief of Staff recognized her with an award for Patriotic Civilian Service. She cried when she received it and said later it meant more to her than the Superior Civilian Service Award because this one was about doing something for others. I had the honor of preparing her nomination package for the Chief and this is what I wrote:

Justification for Certificate of Appreciation for Patriotic Civilian Service

The vast majority of Americans are justifiably proud to say “I support our troops”. Perhaps too few of us put forth the effort to demonstrate that support in a tangible way. That has not been the case for Corine Rodriguez, also known affectionately by many Soldiers in Iraq as the “Korea cookie lady”. Each month for nearly two years Ms. Rodriguez has taken it upon herself to prepare several large boxes of fresh baked cookies to send to the troops serving on the front lines of the Global War on Terror. She does this at a considerable expenditure of her personal time, money, and effort. She often jokes that she expects the “ration control police” to knock on her door inquiring about the vast amounts of butter she has purchased at the commissary. Her reward has been many cards and letters from Soldiers expressing appreciation for Ms. Rodriguez’ generosity, her baking talent, and most importantly how much it meant to them to be remembered. Without fail, these brave men and women also thanked Ms. Rodriguez for her service in support of the Army on “Freedom’s Frontier” in Korea.

Perhaps this story best illustrates the far reaching positive impact Ms. Rodriguez’ gifts from the heart have had on the welfare of Army personnel in Iraq. Recently, while TDY in Atlanta, DHRM Director Sharon Alsop was chatting with a Soldier who was returning from leave to Iraq. She mentioned that COL Kidd, the former 8th Army Chief of Staff, was also serving in Iraq. The Soldier responded that he was working for COL Kidd. He then asked if Ms. Alsop knew the “cookie lady” from Korea, and when she responded that Ms. Rodriguez worked for her, the Soldier talked at great length about how everyone always looked forward to those boxes of cookies, how fast they disappeared, and how much it meant to the troops that she worked so hard on their behalf.

Sometimes the smallest gesture or act of kindness can have a tremendous impact on the morale of those serving under the harshest of conditions. Ms. Rodriguez’ generosity of spirit exemplifies how civilians can make positive contributions to the well being of our armed forces. Her dedication and initiative clearly warrants the honor and recognition associated with the Certificate of Appreciation for Patriotic Civilian Service.

PROPOSED CITATION

Certificate of Appreciation for Patriotic Civilian Service is awarded to:

Corine T. Rodriguez

In recognition of her contributions to the morale and welfare of our troops serving in Iraq. Each month for nearly two years, Ms. Rodriguez, also known as the “Korea cookie lady”, has taken it upon herself to prepare several large boxes of fresh baked cookies to send to the troops serving on the front lines of the Global War on Terror. She does this at a considerable expenditure of her personal time, money, and effort. Ms. Rodriguez’ generosity exemplifies patriotic civilian service in support of the mission, Army values, and the well being of our Soldiers.

Corine Rodriguez: A great employee, a wonderful person, and the best “big sister” I ever did have.