JPL Staff News: What Is Gail Marion Doing Now?

Tuesday, June 04, 2013

What Is Gail Marion Doing Now?

We have an action packed update from retired JPL Librarian, Gail Marion. For those who had the privilege of working with Gail, you know she is a straight shooter, who could see through thick walls of "smoke" with X-ray vision, never ran short on IQ and can jog through the swamps of life with a great sense of humor.

I understand Gail is a Mandarin Branch customer now.

"Hello Fellow JPL Retirees, Ole (not old) Friends & Current Staff:

"I retired from JPL in June 2005 as a Librarian at Bradham Brooks Northwest Branch Library. I retired on a Friday but was working full-time on Monday with a proprietary trade school. In that first year, I also worked part-time at Jones College and Florida Technical College as their Librarian. In November 2006, I started at Everest University - Orange Park Campus as their Librarian and I am still there in charge of their Library/Resource Center. Instead of being "an Army of One", I am a "Library of One Staff." I have now drummed up enough customer usage and business for the Library to get a full-time Library Assistant this July. I enjoy learning something new daily as we have associate & bachelor degree programs in criminal justice and business and several diploma programs in trades, allied health and office administration. I enjoy the wide range of research & reference work I get to do assisting the students. Our military & veteran student population is increasing so I created a Veteran's Resource Center in the Library. I work with my comrades-at-arms to get them to local resources and networking services available to them. I belong to and attend many local military/veterans associations and groups such as the Northeast Florida Veteran's Association and Jacksonville Military Veterans Coalition, etc. My volunteer work and community involvement is dedicated to their causes & concerns.

"I cannot report too much about my military career, as the cliché goes "if I tell you anymore, I will have to kill you." I served with a Signal Detachment in West Palm Beach, FL as the XO and then Commander. I was also the XO and Director of the Directorate of Information Management with a Garrison Unit in West Palm Beach, FL. Our mobilization site was at and out of Ft. Stewart, GA. Being a Signal Corps Officer, my assignments were all classified and Top Secret, in the field areas of communication intelligence and signal security. I was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) but did not hold the rank for a full year when my mandatory retirement date came so I retired as a Major on May 31, 2012. I was put on orders for the day to retire at Ft. Stewart, GA, with a very dignified and memorable retirement ceremony. I had a cannon salute, honor guard, and all the works. What was very touching, was I received many challenge coins from the brigade soldiers & cadre performing the ceremony. They even produced a DVD of my 30-yr career in photos and showed it; few attending were even born in 1970 and were awe struck that I had lasted through the changing & challenging times of the 1970's on active duty U.S. Army, Florida Army National Guard and the U.S. Army Reserve. Some soldiers needed a history lesson on Vietnam era veterans - did not know females served during that era ?! After 30-years of total service, retirement from the military is bitter sweet but that monthly pay check, health benefits, military discounts, etc. is nice.

"My military retirement day also happened on a birthday milestone, with me turning OH NO, 60! But, I was so honored and excited that day that I forgot all about that. I will take those "senior citizen" discounts too.

"I am currently working full-time so I don't have any exotic travel ventures to report. I am off every Friday at 2:00 p.m. and have every weekend off so it's like I am on vacation weekly after all those years of working Saturdays & Sundays for JPL. I am a Gemini so have many eclectic activities & interests to enjoy - reading (of course), photography, movies, historical & cultural events, concerts, symphony, NASCAR and car shows, art museums, etc. I recently went on a 2 1/2-hr cruise on the St. Johns River, from The Landing, on the retired Presidential yacht, Honey Fitz.

"My cat Reagan would like me to totally retire and become his maid but I am not sure when or if that will happen. I trust that all my fellow JPL retirees are in good health and enjoying themselves and best wishes to all current JPL staff. Anyone may "Friend Request" me on Facebook or email me at majgmarion@yahoo.com.

"Regards & Best Wishes,

MAJ Gail E. Marion, USA, Ret."

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Thank you for your letter, Gail, and your years of service to JPL. Most of all, please accept our deep appreciation for your devoted years of service to our country. Stay in touch and come see us when you can.

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THREE STAFF HONORED AT CW

In December, Deputy Director Julie McNeil presented service pins to Kristi Dorney (middle in pic) for 20 years at JPL; Cassy Manning (left) for five service years; and Helena Davenport for five years serving JPL. Kristi received a congratulatory letter from Mayor Curry, and Cassy and Helena each received a letter of appreciation from Director Tim Rogers. Cassy, Kristi, and Helena also enjoyed a socially-distanced party given in their honor. All of us send our thanks, too, for your years with the library.

MR. MOSELEY: CONGRATS ON 20 YEARS & A JOB WELL DONE!

DON'T NEED TO BE A DUMMY; JUST READ BOOKS FOR DUMMIES

PT shelver with help from Teen Associate Beverly Mason created a “I thought you said Mummy…No I said Book for Dummies” display to transition to fall/Halloween and highlight DU’s For Dummies series of books on a variety of topics. DU Manager Eric Soriano added, “There’s also a new ‘Interactive chess display’ by Librarian Benjamin Smith. Books and DVDs are available for checkout while customers enjoy actually playing the game. Ben is also planning to offer possible chess classes.”

LIGHT BULB GOES OFF IN CREATIVE DECKER'S HEAD

YS Asociate Decker Cavosie hosted EB’s first “Minute to Win It,” April 9, 2019, where 15 teens competed in various challenges under a 60 second time limit. Participants discussed strategies and difficulties throughout the program and exhibited creative problem-solving to gain advantages. Each month at the end of the program, the teen with the most points writes their name on the “Minute to Win It Undisputed Championship” belt Decker made. The belt will be displayed until the following month when the reigning champion will defend their title.

HAIL, HAIL THE GANG'S ALL HERE FOR MELODIE BRUNSON'S 5 YEAR CELEBRATION!

January 17, 2019, Deputy Director Julie McNeil presented Melodie Brunson with Director Tim Rogers' congratulatory letter for her five years of service and her service pin. Melodie also enjoyed a big cheer from West Branch's staff pictured here. Back row: Jessica Carpenter (clerk), Eve Harm (YS Librarian 1), Shannon Buchanan (clerk), Larry Singer (volunteer), John Jessee (Assistant Branch Manager), & Manager Kathleen Brunner. Front row: Latisha Woolbright (clerk), Julie Horton (YS Library Assistant), & Melodie Brunson (YS PT Associate.)

THANKS, MANDY ELLIOTT, FOR 5 GOOD YEARS OF SERVICE

JANICE ADAMS CELEBRATES FIVE YEARS W/JPL

Library Associate Janice Adams received her 5 year service pin from Webb Region Manager Lynne Baldwin, January 31, 2018, along with a letter from Library Director Tim Rogers thanking and commending Janice for her service to JPL, the City and the community. Staff at Webb surprised Janice with not one but two cakes, a card, a bouquet of flowers and a gift card. Branch Manager Kathy Tekin joined Lynne to say, "Congratulations to you, Janice, for 5+ years of outstanding service to the Jacksonville community."

STUDY BUDDY SHARED BY 3 IN MAIN TEEN DEPT.

A Thank You From Denise Thomas

To the JPL Family: I wish to thank each and every one of you for your caring responses during my time of need. For those who were not aware, time was needed for surgery and recovery from breast cancer. I want you to know that all donated leave, words of encouragement, random acts of kindness and those beautiful smiles are appreciated.

I am a breast cancer survivor as a result of God’s Grace and an early detection of the cancer. May I suggest that each of you, if you have not already done so, take time to schedule health screenings of any kind knowing that these can be lifesaving methods for you.

To God be the glory for the things he has done. I am now free of cancer and want to say again that I appreciate what you did for me. Not knowing who my time donors were, I am not able to give individual hugs; collectively to the JPL Family I say THANK YOU a million times over.

Denise Thomas, JPL’s Center for Adult Learning at Main.

MARILYN JORDAN SENDS THANKS TO STAFF WHO DONATED TIME FOR HER RECENTLY

SANTA AND KIDS AT MAIN

Main's Children’s departmemt had a jolly great time with Old Saint Nick this year. We handed out jingle bells, read a sleigh ride picture book and, of course, sang the Jingle Bells song. Next, resident elf, Carisia Rooney, took over and kept the line smiling as they waited to verify that indeed, Santa’s whiskers were real and so was his tummy! Afterward, Jonathan Sandbach held a bell-decorating class (complete with glitter) so the kids could take some of the holiday fun home with them.

MATTHEW TAYLOR, LIBRARIAN I, WITH MAIN LIBRARY 15 YEARS

DENISE THOMAS CELEBRATES 15 YEARS WITH JPL

Denise is a Literacy Program Specialist in the Center for Adult Learning, located on the Conference level of the Main Library. She has done so much good for the community beside all the wonderful things she does for children in her position with JPL. Deputy Director Jennifer Giltrop (far left) gave Denise a congratulatory letter from Mayor Curry and her 15 year service pin. Denise is 2nd from left, then CAL Manager Katie Devanny, & Tammy Owens. We join with them in congratulating you, Denise.