HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – Hanscom leaders recently recognized a Hanscom employee for her more than 75-years of civil service during a virtual ceremony here Aug. 26.
Maria Bandouveres, executive assistant to the Command, Control, Communications, Intelligence, and Networks program executive officer, was presented a flag to commemorate her career.
Bandouveres entered the civil-service in 1944 after graduating high school.
“Maria has been a constant factor in the success of Hanscom’s mission over the last eight decades,” said Maj. Gen. Michael Schmidt, C3I&N program executive officer. “Her knowledge and expertise has been invaluable to myself, and each of the commanders and PEOs that came before me; she’s awesome.”
Bobby Jacques, 66th Air Base Group Executive Services chief, coordinated the virtual event and described Bandouveres as a “cornerstone” of the Hanscom community.
“I met Maria 33 years ago, and she’s always been there for so many of us as a true mentor,” said Jacques. “She represents what Hanscom is all about.”
During the virtual ceremony, Col. Katrina Stephens, installation commander, officially presented Bandouveres with a flag flown over the installation on behalf of the 66th Air Base Group, and thanked her for her continued service. Schmidt, standing with Bandouveres, physically presented the flag to her, bookending the moment.
Stephens was stationed at Hanscom as a company grade officer, and recalls Bandouveres’s impact to the installation even then.
“You are a legend,” said Stephens during the presentation. “It’s an honor and a privilege to call you an Airman, a wingman and teammate.”
During the ceremony, Bandouveres described how her office celebrated on Victory over Japan Day, and recounted the presidents, first ladies and senators she’s greeted as they landed on Hanscom Field.
Bandouveres said, as long as she’s able to work, she has no plans to leave her post at Hanscom.
“I always tell people I have two families; my personal family, and my work family,” she said. “I’ve been very fortunate to work with the best of the best, and I’ll stay here as long as I can.”