POM Associate Celebrates 55 Years With the Exchange

In the late ’60s, Richard Alonzo had returned to California from Army service in Germany, where his assignment included protecting the Berlin Wall. Friends who worked for the Exchange recommended that he apply for a job there.

He did, and on March 16, 1969, he went to work for the Presidio of Monterey Exchange. He recently celebrated his 55^th anniversary with the Exchange, all of them at POM, where he is currently a laborer/stocker.

He joined the Exchange when he was 27 years old. At 82, he is one of Exchange’s oldest associates.

According to information from the store, Alonzo was born Dec. 9, 1941—two days after Pearl Harbor—in Angeles City, the Philippines. He has no memories of World War II, but his father served in the U.S. Army.

The family moved to the U.S. when his father was stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington. He remembers going to the Exchange with his parents and liking the people there.

“They were nice people,” he said. “That’s one of the reasons I went to work for the Exchange.”

After his father retired, the family moved to Seaside, about five miles from Presidio of Monterey. He attended Monterey High School then enlisted in the Army.

“I went to Germany,” he said. “We protected the Berlin Wall. Troops in Germany who’d never been to Vietnam would get sent there. We were their replacements. Whatever I was told to do, I’d do it. It was a hard job because Germany can get so cold. But I did what I had to do.”

A high school friend who had served with him went to work for an Exchange service station after returning home. The friend told Alonzo to apply at the Exchange.

Since joining the POM Exchange in 1969, Alonzo has worked as a mechanic at the POM Express; a mobile food truck driver; a snack bar associate; and a food court food driver. He is currently a stocker at the POM Defense Language Institute Troop Store.

In the spring, his teammates and his family surprised him with a 55^th anniversary party.

“We celebrated with the entire staff wearing white shirts and also wearing leis,” said POM General Manager Lorraine Davis. “As each of us thanked him, we placed our leis onto him.”

Alonzo said he almost cried at the recognition.

“It was really beautiful,” he said. “I’d never had a celebration like that. But it’s my job to serve Soldiers. I don’t expect recognition for it but I really appreciated it when it happened.”

The appreciation didn’t stop there. In a separate ceremony, POM Garrison Commander Col. Samuel Kline recognized Alonzo for his service.

Alonzo, who has two daughters, three sons and 12 grandchildren, stays active away from work.

“I coached all five of my kids in baseball and now I’m coaching my grandkids,” he said. “I’m a member of the Knights of Columbus, which helps poor people. I do everything around the house. We’re family, we stick together.”

Alonzo said he has stayed at the Exchange so long because he enjoys serving those who serve and working with his teammates, singling out Davis, who he calls the best GM he’s ever had.

“And Monterey is beautiful,” he said. “My goal when I got out of the service was to work and save enough money to buy a house. When I got the house, I stayed with AAFES.”