KAISERSALUTERN, Germany -- It was neither a normal change of duty station nor the accompanying award presentation for the former 21st Theater Sustainment Command's chief of public affairs.

Lt. Col. Anna Friederich-Maggard received the Meritorious Service Medal from Maj. Gen. Aundre F. Piggee, the commanding general of the 21st Theater Sustainment Command, and Sgt. Maj. Michael A. Sanchez, the command sergeant major of the 21st TSC, on May 5 for her accomplishments as the 21st PAO for three years.

What's unusual is the award was presented by the command team stateside in a restaurant in Bethesda, Md. Friederich is temporarily attached to the Warrior Transition Brigade, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Md., after an unexpected assignment curtailment for health concerns.

"My assignment as the command PAO has been the most enjoyable and rewarding of my career. The staff, commanders, Soldiers and civilian workforce have been the most professional I've ever had the pleasure of working with. Their support, and sometimes patience, was much appreciated and certainly enhanced the camaraderie," said Friederich.

Friederich was the public affairs officer for the U.S. Army Europe's largest command and coordinated and provided public affairs guidance for more than 11,000 Soldiers dispersed over 25 military communities.

She oversaw the production of hundreds of newspaper, social media and broadcast products. Eighteen of those products were nominated for the Maj. Gen. Keith L. Ware Journalism Awards Competition.

Five entries were judged as the best in USAREUR and selected for the Army-level competition. She was editor-in-chief of the command's Millrinder Magazine that earned second place in the Army competition.

Additionally, Friederich supported the public affairs efforts during various training and real-world military exercises that helped foster partnership in 11 countries. She also led command information campaigns that included Comprehensive Soldier Fitness, Lean Six Sigma and the Directorate of Logistics transition.

Friederich's public affairs team also organized and conducted several unit public affairs representative courses. The course trained non-public-affairs-certified Soldiers and civilians throughout the command and subordinate units to produce public affairs products for the command.

"The public affairs staff are the best of the best and the reason the 21st public affairs program is so successful and unmatched in USAREUR (in my opinion, of course I'm very biased). Thank you to everyone for making this assignment unforgettable and the reason I will return to Germany in the future," said Friederich.

"I feel that Lt. Col. Friederich was the glue that kept this office running and kept the 21st TSC, as a whole, connected to the rest of the world. One thing that no one can deny is that she is a professional. She brought her caring and family-oriented personality to work, made sure that everyone's birthday was celebrated, everyone was taken care of and everyone felt a part of the team," said Staff Sgt. Michael J. Taylor, 21st TSC PAO operations non-commissioned officer.

While attached to the WTB, Friederich is projected to be temporarily working at the Defense Information School, Fort Meade, Md., assisting with public affairs course curriculum changes.

"This command was truly inspired and often entertained with the outstanding command information products Lt. Col. Friederich produced for the public. Her service in the 21st TSC for the last three years was truly remarkable. We will miss her, but know she will do great things for the Army at Ft Leavenworth," said Col. Mitchell E. Brew, the chief of staff of the 21st TSC.