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MGVAMC’s Gary Helms retires
Mann-Grandstaff VAMC says farewell to Gary Helms
Army veteran retires after nearly 50 years of federal service
By Bret Bowers
PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER, MANN-GRANDSTAFF VAMC
“This job has meant so much to me,” smiled Gary Helms, who admits, “I’m going to miss the people because this has been a very large part of my social life too.”
The wind-down of 2021 sees Gary looking in the rearview mirror of over 44 years of housekeeping, laundry, and all kinds of spot duty at Spokane’s VA hospital. He retired with the arrival of 2022. “I will miss my co-workers and the veterans the most.” In all, he’s completed nearly 50 years of federal service!
Helms joined the Army before graduating high school in Spokane. He earned his high school diploma while on active duty and stationed with the Army in Germany. He calls that achievement his proudest moment.
Upon his return to Spokane in 1977, Helms accepted a position at the Spokane VAMC, becoming a popular co-worker among today’s 1,600-plus staff. “I definitely didn’t plan on being here this long,” he smiled.
By being on the “ground-floor” of the facility for all these years, Helms offers some advice to leadership and staff he’s leaving behind.
“First, I believe leadership should listen to the staff more. I’ve always looked at it as doing my best to ensure we keep the doors open for our veterans, so they want to come here.”
Those who supervised or monitored Helm's work closely have nothing but glowing comments for a man who never considered any job too big or too small. That attitude is what makes Gary so special.
“I have worked with Gary for over 20 years and supervised him for 10 of those. He is in an hour early every day, always smiling and greeting staff and patients,” explained Dan Kinsfather, EMS Supervisor. “Gary will be missed and will always be remembered as the ‘gentle giant.’ ”
These days, Helms no longer loads large artillery shells into an Army Howitzer and recalls how heavy (some shells more than 100 pounds) they were. The other memory that stands out about his military service overseas, was “how great Oktoberfest is in Germany!”
At “71 years young” Helm’s favorite memories of growing up in Spokane were the bike rides his father would lead the family on in nearby Riverside State Park. Over the years, Gary began venturing out further into this region’s scenic countryside, rivers, lakes, and mountain trails. Gary has been married for the past 27 years, after meeting his beloved wife Joanne at a square-dancing event.
“I would like to congratulate Gary on his pending retirement. Wellearned sir,” explained Josh McCoy, Chief of Environmental Management Service at Mann-Grandstaff VAMC.
“All I ever did was do the best I can to keep the place clean,” Gary said with a smile before getting back to work cleaning and polishing a floor.
Congratulations on your retirement after nearly five decades of service to veterans and co-workers at Mann-Grandstaff VAMC, Gary Helms!
Dan Kinsfather, EMS Supervisor
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