United States Transportation Command

NAPLES, Italy (USTCNS) --- He drew the praise so richly deserved of a man who gave not only time, but also, so much vital work to Military Sealift Command in Northern Europe. Couple that with a maritime career that spans some five decades, and even two millennia, and you have a very special occasion.

The retirement ceremony of 17-year MSC Europe employee Wilhelm Hoerecke was held May 12, 2000, and the United Seamen's Service Center in Bremerhaven, Germany.

Capt. Robert T. Collins, Jr. Commander, Military Sealift Command, Europe, was the principal speaker at the event.

"We say farewell, not only to a very valued colleague, but more important, to a very valued friend and shipmate," Collins said to the former ship's master.

Hoerecke first entered the merchant navy in the early 1960s, after graduating from the Merchant Naval Academy at Hamburg, Germany. After two years sailing on 'reefer' ships, "Willie," as he is mostly known, returned to his alma mater where, upon graduation, he became a fully licensed ship's master.

In 1967, he began to work with the American United Fruit Company in Bremerhaven, where he remained as a transportation specialist for more than 16 years.

"Willie's career really 'took off' in 1983-that's when he came to work for MSC," Collins said, smiling at Hoerecke and his wife, Hannelore. Overall, during his 17 years of service to MSC Europe, Hoerecke supported the loading and unloading of more than 1,100 MSC-controlled ships, not only in Bremerhaven and Nordenham, but in many ports located throughout northern Europe and Scandinavia.

"I believe some people are destined to only read about history, while others have the privilege to live and make it," Collins added. Willie coordinated the shipment of military hardware, which helped win the Cold War. During Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, he coordinated the movement of more than half a million long tons of military hardware and supplies. He oversaw the lift of heavy equipment supporting our forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and last summer, he supported the heavy lift of combat equipment in use by U.S. forces in Kosovo.

"The Department of Defense owes you a great deal of gratitude for your services, and words cannot express the importance your contributions have made," Collins said. He [Collins] then presented Hoerecke with the Meritorious Civil Service Award.

The awards and praise did not stop there as others stepped forward to recognize Hoerecke. MSCO Northern Europe commanding officer Lt. Cindy Womble, USN, presented Hoerecke with a command plaque, while operations specialist Wim Schelvis presented Willie with a barograph for his home "weather" station.

Maj. Tom Ariail, USA, Commander of Military Traffic Management Command's 950th Transportation Company, presented a Certificate of Appreciation and a certificate for free 'windsurfing'-Hoerecke's hobbies include, yes, not only windsurfing, but also boxing!

Collins rounded off the ceremony by presenting flowers to Willie's wife. More than 55 people attended the ceremony, including representatives from the ports of Bremerhaven and Nordenham, ship's agents, family and friends.

"Willie, on behalf of the MSC 'family' to you-"fair winds and following seas." (FROM MILITARY SEALIFT COMMAND - EUROPE, PUBLIC AFFAIRS).

MSC-Europe bids farewell to a friend: MSC representative in Bremerhaven retires

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