Farewell party atmosphere at the NATO Defense College today due to the retirement of Mrs Susan TURCHI after 45 years of service.
Almost half century working in the same institution is a goal that few people can reach and Susan deserves to be celebrated with honor.
This is the reason why the NDC Commandant, Lieutenant General Wolf-Dieter LOESER, awarded a diploma to Mrs TURCHI underlining that her longstanding commitment and professionalism have been an added value for the College.
Susan, whose maiden name was Thain, was born in Newcastle, England, and she joined the NATO Headquarter as a shorthand typist (grade B) when it was still in Paris, before being relocated due to the French withdrawal from the Alliance.
At that time Susan chose to follow the NATO Defense College in Rome instead of moving to Brussels and nowadays we can say that was a lucky choice.
In fact, in August 1967 she was promoted to B3 grade and involved in planning the Field Study tours: thanks to such a wide experience in that field she earned the nickname of “boss of the branch”.
In addition, on May 6 th 1972 Susan married Roberto Turchi, who worked as a linotypist for the roman newspaper “Il Messaggero”.
Now that she is free from her daily work she will be able to devote her time to her little granddaughter, the child of her son Steven.
The NATO Defense College Staff wants to send Susan its affectionate thanks for her professional dedication and industriousness, which have served as an example to everybody.
LtCol. Mario Masdea, Chief Public Affairs Office, ITA-A
NATO Defense College