Forty-two years of dedicated service and counting Published Nov. 12, 2010 By Brian Brackens 377th Air Base Wing Public Affairs Kirtland Air Force Base, NM -- Working for nearly half a century can put a lot of wear and tear on a body, but Gloria Mitchell barely shows the effects of her long service to the Air Force. Ms. Mitchell started working as a waitress at the Mountain View Club on base in 1968. Back then, cigarettes were 36 cents a pack, minimum wage was $1.60 per hour, first-class stamps were six cents apiece and a Chevrolet Corvette Coupe cost $4,663. These days Ms. Mitchell may be a little slower on the job, but that hasn't stopped her. She said her passion for people and the fun she has at work is one of the reasons she keeps coming back each day. "I like being around people, I like serving people, I like laughing with people, I like teasing people, I like seeing people happy, and what makes a person happier if it's not good food and good service. That's the name of the game," she said. People who know Ms. Mitchell describe her as a jokester who likes to make people happy. Sally Diaz, a manager at the Mountain View Club, said that Ms. Mitchell's fun-loving attitude has become routine. "If you don't see her making jokes or saying sometime funny, you're like, "what's wrong," are you not feeling well? What's going on?" said she. Over the years, Ms. Mitchell has met a ton of people and made many friends. "I've met governors, Air Force chiefs of staff, many, many senators, congressmen, and all kinds of people," she said. "They were very interesting people who've made my job worth it." Inevitably with one working as long as Ms. Mitchell, the question of why 42 years comes up. She said she enjoys her job and the people, but another reason she's worked so long is out of necessity. "Supporting a family, you got to work and you might as well work someplace that you like," said Ms. Mitchell. "I don't really plan on working another 42 years, but the way things are going, I just might." One change on base and at the Mountain View Club over the last 42 years is that the club use to be strictly for officers and now it's open to both officers, enlisted and civilians. I've seen so much and there have been so many changes, that I've forgotten a lot of them," Ms. Mitchell said. "That's the way it is." With 42 years of service under her belt, Ms. Mitchell has earned a rare award. "I've got a 40-year pin," she said. "That and three dollars would buy me a beer." Ms. Diaz said that Ms. Mitchell is a reliable employee. "When I ask her to do something, I know I can count on it to be done the right way," she said. "She's always willing to work and she's never late." A piece of advice Ms. Mitchell gives, which could be the key to her longevity at the Mountain View Club is the following: "If you feel good, work. If you feel bad, work and you'll soon forget what's wrong."