At 94, Grandmother Stays on Duty for Soldiers and Airmen
JOINT BASE LEWIS-McCHORD – At 94 years old, Julia Santiago is still young at heart. And, she says, a big part of her youthful spirit is her part-time job at the Army & Air Force Exchange Service, her employer for the last 44 years.
“I don’t plan to slow down. I’m very satisfied,” said Santiago, who has two grown children and five grandchildren.
Since 1971, Santiago has devoted herself to military members, families and retirees at Joint Base Lewis-McChord working at the Exchange. Today, she works at the Madigan Army Medical Center Subway.
On May 4, her 94th birthday, Santiago’s co-workers and customers feted her with cards, gifts and cake in the food court—all a surprise.
Santiago grew up in Puerto Rico. After World War II, she worked in New York manufacturing aerial bombing targets. She moved to Washington State with her husband, Sgt. 1st Class Castor Luis Santiago, who served in the Army, including a tour in Vietnam.
At 50 years old, once her two children were grown, Santiago wanted to find employment. A friend suggested the Exchange, and the rest is history.
Paul Claxton, Exchange restaurant business manager, says customers at Madigan regularly seek out Santiago to chat.
“Everyone knows Julia,” Claxton said. “I know of one Soldier who told me he first met Julia when he was stationed here as a resident 20 years ago. Now, 20 years later, Julia is still here and he still makes it part of his day to always stop by and say hello to her.”
Santiago’s wit and charm aren’t slowing down, either. The best part of her job is washing dishes “because no one bothers me,” she said with a laugh.
Joint Base Lewis-McChord Exchange General Manager Patrick McGhee said the Exchange team wanted to do something special to celebrate Santiago’s 94th birthday.
“Julia means a lot to the Madigan community,” he said. “She’s a fixture here.”
For Santiago, the longevity of her career—and her advice to those in the working world—can be explained simply.
“Be nice,” Santiago said. “Be nice to customers. Be nice to managers. Just be nice.”
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The Army & Air Force Exchange Service goes where Soldiers, Airmen and their families go to improve the quality of their lives through goods and services provided. Exchange earnings provide dividends to support military morale, welfare and recreation programs. The Exchange is part of the Department of Defense and is directed by a Board of Directors, responsible to the Secretaries of the Army and Air Force through the Chiefs of Staff. To find out more about the Exchange history and mission or to view recent press releases please visit our Web site at http://www.aafes.com/about-exchange/public-affairs/press-releases.htm or follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/ExchangePAO.
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Media Notes:
For more information or to schedule an interview with an Exchange representative please contact Julie Mitchell, 214-312-3327 or [email protected].