ENJJPT Hall of Fame inducts Canadian sponsors

  • Published
  • By Dan Hawkins
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Col. (Ret) Dennis Marquardt and his wife Peg were honored here March 5 as the eighteenth inductees into the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program Hall of Fame in a ceremony at the 80th Flying Training Wing headquarters.

The ENJJPT Hall of Fame, established in 1993, honors men and women in the local community for their outstanding support to the multi-national program.

The Marquardt's have been associated with ENJJPT since their arrival in Wichita Falls in 1999, when the colonel was the commander of the 82d Medical Group.

During the ceremony, Col. Dieter Bareihs, 80th FTW commander, spoke of the unwavering support and friendship the colonel and his wife show to everyone in the program.

"Over the years, Dennis and Peg have developed strong bonds of friendship with each of the 80th Flying Training Wing Commanders, as well as many of the ENJJPT Senior National Representatives, their families and assigned students," Bareihs said. "They are 'all-in' in support of both Canada and ENJJPT; nobody is more deserving of this honor."

Due to their strong support of the international community and their participation with ENJJPT activities while on active duty, the Marquardts' became the official sponsors for the Canadian contingent at ENJJPT following the colonel's retirement from active-duty in 2003.

"Between 2003 and 2012, Dennis and Peg supported four different Canadian Senior National Representatives and their families, providing critical assistance with their transition to the United States and the local Texoma community," Bareihs said. "Since the first Canadian students arrived in 2009, Dennis and Peg have expanded their role to make these students feel at home away from home, inviting them to be an extended part of the Marquardt family."

The Marquardts' have also been recognized by senior Canadian leadership and the Snowbirds Aerial Demonstration Team for their unwavering support of Canada's participation in the ENJJPT Program.

Letters of appreciation from Maj. David Smith of the 2nd Canadian Air Division and Brig. Gen. Martin Galvin, 2nd Canadian Air Division commander were presented to the Marquardts during the ceremony.
 
To close out the ceremony, an official plaque was hung in the hallway at the 80th FTW headquarters building dedicated to the ENJJPT Hall of Fame.

During remarks, the Marquardt's expressed their feelings at being selected for the Hall of Fame.

"We are honored to be selected for the ENJJPT Hall of Fame," Col. Marquardt said. "We are so fortunate to be paired with the Canadians and it is humbling to receive this recognition."

"ENJJPT truly is a family," Peg Marquardt said. "The program brings in people and cultures from every corner of the world and molds it together...ENJJPT brings a peace to our lives that we are all looking for."

ENJJPT Hall of Fame selections are made by the 80th FTW commander and highlight the extraordinary efforts taken in helping ease the transition of the wing's multi-national personnel into the Texoma way of life.

Selectees are also honored for fostering a spirit of cultural understanding for ENJJPT's international friends, their families and distinguished visitors.