Paul Reistrup congratulating employees, 1977.

In 1977, Amtrak distributed five year service awards to approximately 250 Amtrak employees; women received pins and men received a tie tack/lapel pin. The pin, made of antique gold, featured the Amtrak logo with a small ruby set below to denote five years.

At company headquarters in Washington, D.C., Amtrak President and CEO Paul Reistrup (center) presented the awards to two of the company's most senior employees, both of whom started working at Amtrak before the company took over operation of the nation's intercity passenger rail network on May 1, 1971.

To the left of Reistrup is Beverly Balanda, who became the first official Amtrak employee on February 22, 1971, as executive secretary to the incorporators of the company. Balanda then became executive assistant to the president, a position she held for more than 27 years. To the right of Reistrup is Isaac Battle, who started working for Amtrak on March 1, 1971, as a chauffeur to the incorporators. He later became a ticket accounting clerk and held leadership positions in the Brotherhood of Railway, Airline, Steamship Clerks, Freight Handlers, Express and Station Employes (BRAC) lodge No. 1906 in Washington, D.C.

Photographer: Unknown for Amtrak.