WD honors China Lake volunteers

Capt. Mark Storch, NAWCWD vice commander recognizes Yvonne McCabe, left, and Theresa "Rose" Gonzalez for their service to China Lake. Joining them is Don Cooper, director of the NAWCWD Retired Activities Office. Photo by Cathy Braem.

Date: 13-Mar-08
News Release Number: ECL200803131
By Cathy Braem NAWCWD Public Affair

Capt. Mark Storch, NAWCWD vice commander, recognized Yvonne McCabe and Theresa "Rose" Gonzalez Feb. 20 with awards in honor of the contributions they made at China Lake.

"Today we recognize the valuable contributions of two women who each served many years at China Lake, providing support for the Navy and the nation," Storch said. "Even after they retired from civil service, they continued to devote their time to their fellow retirees by dedicating themselves to the NAWCWD Retired Activities Office."

Gonzalez arrived at the Naval Ordnance Test Station (NOTS), Inyokern, on Sept. 6, 1944. When asked to "volunteer" at China Lake, Rose thought it sounded like quite the adventure, with good possibilities for advancement. When she first came to China Lake, "the center was still quite primitive," said Gonzalez. "Headquarters then, was what we know now as the training center." She reported to headquarters and was assigned to be a yeoman in the Safety Department. Gonzalez was discharged from the Navy on April 6, 1946 and returned to Minnesota.

After three weeks of slush and snow, she returned to China Lake and was offered a job in the Fire Department. Shortly after, she met and married her husband of 61-plus years, John. She then worked as a secretary for the Range Department, head of the Administrative Services branch and then she was chosen to participate in a six-month Administrative Program (fashioned after the Junior Professional Program) and ended up as a management analyst in the Management Division of Central Staff.

Before her retirement in January 1981, Gonzalez was named head of the Records Management Branch. Retirement left Gonzalez feeling strangely adrift. She missed the daily routine of going to work and seeing her friends and co-workers.

Throughout the next several years, she worked and volunteered, running various offices and programs in and around the Ridgecrest community. In 1988, Gonzalez offered her assistance to the Retired Activities Office where she volunteered 19 years assisting retired military and civilian employees with their problems and issues.

"The 19 years of my volunteering in the Retired Activities Office have been rewarding, and I find it difficult to give it up," Gonzalez said. "Looking back, I feel so fortunate and grateful for the opportunity to serve and for the help, guidance and encouragement I received from my family, friends and co-workers all through the years of my affiliation with the Navy. In return, it is my sincere hope that they, too, were helped by me in some way."

Like Gonzalez, McCabe also spent nearly 20 years volunteering with the Retired Activities Office after retiring from civil service. McCabe moved to Ridgecrest with her husband Ralph in 1955. They had four children, two boys and two girls, all born in Ridgecrest Regional hospital and delivered by Dr. Drummond himself. All her children have since moved out of Ridgecrest, but still reside in California.

McCabe started her career with NOTS, China Lake in 1956. She worked for seven months in the accounting branch just long enough to earn money to be able to purchase furniture for their new home. She stayed home to raise the children for five years and then returned part time as a clerk in the Command Mailroom in 1961. She moved on to work as a budget clerk in Code 30.

McCabe returned to full time work after she earned her degree with Cal State Bakersfield in an on site program. She applied for and was selected for the Management Intern Program. Following her intern tour, she took an administrative officer position at Thompson Lab. She headed back to work in the Comptroller's Office as a budget analyst and a financial manager. She finished her career as an analyst in the Corporate Budget Office and retired after 30 years in November 1991.

After retirement, McCabe and her husband traveled extensively until his passing in 2003. She and a former co-worker have shared a passion for cruises and have gone on many together. Much like Gonzalez, McCabe worked and volunteered for many organizations in and around the Ridgecrest community. McCabe began volunteering at the Retired Activities Office in late 1991 and retired in December 2007.

"I have lived alone for the past five years," McCabe said, "but was never lonely; I do like my solitude. I shared my house with my dog until May of 2007, when a tumor on his leg forced me to euthanize him. I am moving because it is time. I have loved Ridgecrest from the start and will miss all my friends and acquaintances terribly. I will try to make friends up north, but none of them there will share with me the last 50 years of history as my friends in Ridgecrest do."

With 10 volunteers, the WD Retired Activities Office helps both military and civilian retirees. Last year, they assisted more than 50 widows and widowers making sure they received the benefits to which they were entitled.

"My best wishes go out to Yvonne and Rose and I am thankful for their dedicated service," said Don Cooper, director of the Retired Activities Office. "They provided a service that is not available anyplace else and they will be missed. Thank you ladies, from the bottom of my heart."

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