Troy man retires after 69 years of service

By Charles E. Ramirez The Detroit News TROY (AP) -- A slide projector flashed a painting of George Washington crossing the Delaware on a large screen behind John Bruce Jr. Bruce, 93, of Troy sat in a chair on the auditorium's stage just off to the side of the screen. He and everyone in the auditorium chuckled. "Don't look for John in this picture," said Martin Green, acting executive director of Army Contracting for TACOM. TACOM is the U.S. Army's largest weapon systems research, development and maintenance organization. "He isn't there, and we've had this confirmed by experts," said Green, sparking more laughter. Recently, the two men were on a stage in an auditorium at the Detroit Arsenal in Warren and joined by more than 400 TACOM officials, employees and other dignitaries for a special ceremony. After 69 years of service, Bruce is leaving his job as a civilian contractor for the Army, effective Dec. 3. "I picked Dec. 3 to retire, because it happens to be my birthday," he said. "That way I'll always remember when I retired." He'll depart as the longest-serving active employee in the Army and the third longest-serving employee of the federal government, Green said. During the hour-long celebration, officials presented Bruce with plaques and commendations, including congratulatory letters from President Barack Obama; Sen. Carl Levin, D-Detroit; and U.S. Rep. Sander Levin, D-Royal Oak. "I'm overwhelmed, to be honest," Bruce said of the ceremony and show of support. "I didn't realize I was that important." Bruce joined the Army in 1942 and served as an intercept operator in the Army Signal Corps and in the South Pacific during World War II. After he was honorably discharged in 1946, Bruce came to Detroit looking for a job and found one at the Detroit Arsenal in Warren. "I worked with him a few years ago, and he was the best purchasing chief I worked with," said co-worker Thadine Kazmer, 57, of Warren. "He's still sharp as a tack." Published: Wed, Nov 30, 2011