MASSENA — After a three-year assignment in Massena, the commander of the Massena Salvation Army has received marching orders for a new post.

Capt. Ronald J. Heimbrock, who arrived in Massena with his wife, Capt. Marilyn Heimbrock, and daughter Alyssa on July 1, 2009, will take over as commander in Binghamton, replacing the retiring commander there.

“Our official last day is Sunday, the 24th. We have a spiritual retreat session in Massena on the 25th. We’ll probably stay an extra day for that,” Capt. Heimbrock said.

He said he received a phone call notifying him of his new assignment.

“The officers we’re replacing in Binghamton have been there for 12 years,” Capt. Heimbrock said.

Prior to their Massena assignment, the Heimbrocks served in Connecticut for seven years and most recently were in Olean. The commanders they replaced in Massena, Majs. William and Cecilia Lynch, took their place in Olean.

Incoming commanders for the Massena Salvation Army are Lts. Russell and Cynthia Crowsen, who are transferring from a post in Massachusetts.

Capt. Heimbrock said he and his family will miss the friends they’ve made here. “It’s been great up here in Massena. People have been really wonderful — warm, very helpful and very supportive,” he said.

The Heimbrock family arrived in Massena at a time when the community was lamenting the loss of the proposed Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center, which was scheduled to be built on Water Street.

“Coming after the Kroc Center fell through, we didn’t know what to expect,” Capt. Heimbrock said.

During his tour, Capt. Heimbrock was instrumental in locating a deceased soldier’s family after the Salvation Army received a donation that included a Purple Heart certificate and a picture of the soldier.

Relatives of Sgt. Richard Owen, who died on D-Day in World War II, were presented with the certificate and picture in 2010 after they were located following a search that included articles in several local and national publications, including the Washington Post.

As the Heimbrocks prepare to leave Massena, that will be among the memories they’ll take with them, along with “the special fundraising that we’ve done and the Christmas efforts,” Capt. Heimbrock said.

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