Hospital security honored by U.S. National Guard

By Krista Hopson
UMHS Public Relations

Sgt. Andrew Huxley, a member of the United States Army National Guard Military Police, was only six weeks into his new job as a security officer for the U-M Hospitals and Health Centers (UMHHC) Security Services when was he was called into active duty.

Nearly one year later, Huxley returned from his security assignment at Fort George G. Meade in Washington, D.C., eager to resume his role with UMHHC Security Services and to show his colleagues gratitude for their encouragement while he was away, as well as the promise that his job would be waiting for him when he returned.

Sgt. Andrew Huxley and Marilyn Hollier; director of UMHHC Security Services, hold a plaque and certificate of recognition that Huxley presented to Hollier for encouraging him while he was called into active duty. At press time, Huxley had not been called back into active duty, but he said that may change this week. (Photo by Krista Hopson, UMHS Public Relations)

"I know it's definitely not easy for this department to let a new employee go, but we kept in touch while I was away and they were very supportive of me and my wife through that entire year," Huxley says. "I feel like I never left, even though it feels a little strange to be a civilian again."

He wasn't the only one who wanted to thank the members of the UMHHC Security Services. Before Huxley returned to work March 10, his commanding general and two colonels from Fort Meade made a special trip to U-M Hospital to present UMHHC Security Services with the Commander's Certificate of Highest Recognition and two official certificates of appreciation for its support during Huxley's mission.

"This is definitely a very special honor for our department. Our officers were very impressed," says Marilyn Hollier, director of UMHHC Security Services. "And from what Andrew said, it's very unusual for them to come out to a soldier's job to present these awards."

While at Fort Meade, Huxley, who has been in the military for eight years, was responsible for access control and inspection of the 40,000 vehicles that drove through the Fort Meade gates each day. Although he just returned home, Huxley could be called back into active duty again in the war against Iraq.

"His commanders spoke very highly of him when they were here," Hollier says. "Andrew definitely had a very important job to do over there, and we're glad that we were able to provide him with the support that he needed."

Sgt. Andrew Huxley and Marilyn Hollier, director of UMHHC Security Services, hold a plaque and certificate of recognition that Huxley presented to Hollier for encouraging him while he was called into active duty. At press time, Huxley had not been called back into active duty, but he said that may change this week.

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