CUTLINE

Rene Demers is NADEP North Island’s new Silver Eagle. NADEP North Island Commanding Officer Capt. Emory Chenoweth holds the award, which is permanently displayed in the upstairs lobby in Building 94. Photo by Joe Feliciano

Demers named Silver Eagle

By Bill Bartkus

Rene Demers, an electronics mechanic with Code 6.1.3.5.0.2, is the new the Silver Eagle recipient at Naval Air Depot North Island. The award is given to the NADEP North Island member holding the longest tenure at the command.
Demers, 71, started working here in August 1952 when the command was known as the Overhaul and Repair Department. All total, he has 53 years of federal service having served in the military for four years before coming to work here.
“I have no plans to retire,” said Demers, a widower. “This command has been good to me, and I like working on any aircraft.”
In his 49 years with the command, Demers has worked on these types of aircraft: F4U Corsair, TBM Avenger, AF2S Guardian, T33 Shooting Star, F3H Demon, F3D Sky Knight, F4D Skyray, F4H Phantom, F6F Hellcat, F8F Bearcat, F8U Crusader, F/A-18 Hornet, F-14 Tomcat, F9F Panther, RC-45 Beechcraft, P4Y (AF B24), P5M Marlin, HU-16 Albatross, C-117 (DC-3), OV-10 Bronco, C-1 Grumman, C-2 Greyhound, E-2 Hawkeye, E-1B Tracer, S-2 Tracker, H-53 Sea Stallion, CH-46 Sea Knight, SH-3 Sea King, HUP helicopter and the Regulus missile.
Demers’ name is engraved on the Silver Eagle Award, which is displayed in the commanding officer’s upstairs lobby. As the Silver Eagle, he received a special commemorative plaque and a reserved parking space near his worksite.