# Disposition's 50th: ‘A time to celebrate us’

/ Published Sept. 12, 2022
BATTLE CREEK, Mich., 
Gasoline was 36 cents a gallon, moviegoers continued to pack theaters for “The Godfather,” and a White House internal investigation had just declared that the administration had nothing to do with that summer’s Watergate complex break-in.                 A ceremonial cake cutting marks the 50th anniversary of the organization now known as DLA Disposition Services during an event at the Hart-Dole-Inouye Federal Center in Battle Creek, Michigan, Sept. 12. In military tradition, the longest- and shortest-tenured participants team up to cut the cake. For this occasion, the honor went to Tracy Hart, with 42 years of agency service, and Elizabeth Roberts, with a few hours of experience under her belt.                            220912-D-YU183-035                            A ceremonial cake cutting marks the 50th anniversary of the organization now known as DLA Disposition Services during an event at the Hart-Dole-Inouye Federal Center in Battle Creek, Michigan, Sept. 12. In military tradition, the longest- and shortest-tenured participants team up to cut the cake. For this occasion, the honor went to Tracy Hart, with 42 years of agency service, and Elizabeth Roberts, with a few hours of experience under her belt.            SHARE IMAGE:Download ImageImage DetailsPhoto By: Jeff LandenbergerVIRIN: 220912-D-YU183-035

The year was 1972, and amid domestic upheaval and the ongoing Vietnam War, General Order 31 established the Defense Property Disposal Service in Battle Creek, Michigan, on September 12, and articulated the authorities and responsibilities of its commanding officer in leading the Defense Department’s surplus and excess property needs.

50 years later, the workforce now known as Defense Logistics Agency Disposition Services took a collective time-out Sept. 12 to reflect on a half century of service and warfighter support. Director Mike Cannon led a headquarters commemoration ceremony that encouraged employees to consider their contributions.

“Whether we were Defense Property Disposal Service, Defense Reutilization and Marketing Service, or DLA Disposition Services, the constant theme there is service – service to the warfighter – and that’s what you do every day, around the globe. Wherever there is a soldier, sailor, airmen, Marine or guardian, we are there to support them, so thank you for that,” Cannon said.

Participants witnessed a ceremonial cake cutting, viewed a historic video highlighting the role of DLA Disposition Services through the decades, and heard from some long-tenured employees who shared some perspective on the changes they’d seen through the years as part of DLA.

“Thank you for what you’ve done and for what you will do,” Cannon said. "This is a time to celebrate us."

Event visitors were treated to guided and self-guided tours of the historic Hart-Dole-Inouye Federal Center, where the newly established DPDS once shared space with the U.S. Army 6th Corps and the Civil Defense Administration. 

                Battle Creek Mayor Mark Behnke presents DLA Disposition Services Director Mike Cannon with a proclamation during the command's 50th anniversary observance at the Hart-Dole-Inouye Federal Center Sept. 12.                            220912-D-YU183-032                            Battle Creek Mayor Mark Behnke presents DLA Disposition Services Director Mike Cannon with a proclamation during the command's 50th anniversary observance at the Hart-Dole-Inouye Federal Center Sept. 12.            SHARE IMAGE:Download ImageImage DetailsPhoto By: Jeff LandenbergerVIRIN: 220912-D-YU183-032Battle Creek Mayor Mark Behnke presented headquarters leadership with a proclamation declaring Sept. 12 as “DLA Disposition Services Day” in the city. 

Cannon commended individuals for their “Spirit Week” participation and said each field site was similarly taking “a stand-down day” to consider their accomplishments and strategically pause to think about what comes next. 

“Spend some time today just thinking about your part in the 50-year history of this organization,” Cannon said. “What have you done? What part have you played? Talk about your deployments and your TDYs and the warfighters you’ve supported, and then kind of think about where you think we’re going to be over the course of the next 50 years.”