Barret Jackman, Ty Conklin and the rest of the Blues presented security officer Gary Herwig with a personalized jersey and a team-autographed photo before Saturday's regular season finale at Scottrade Center.

Herwig was working his final game as a locker-room security guard on Saturday before he begins active military duty in Afghanistan next year. He has worked with the Blues since 1994 and hasn’t missed a game except for two periods of military deployment.

“One of the things that really impresses me is the way the Blues players, even if they lose a game, if there’s a fan there wanting to meet them, they are very personable and focus on that person,” Herwig said, recalling some of his best memories working with the Blues. “You can see, especially in the kids, how important that is to them and how it makes their day. You can just see the happiness in their faces. Seeing that is very rewarding.”

Herwig added that he was both surprised and touched by the Blues inviting him to the locker room prior to the game to say thanks and wish him well. The team also invited his family to witness the pregame ceremony.

“This was very unexpected, but again, it really is how the Blues are,” Herwig said after being thanked for his upcoming service by the entire team. “Not only to their fans, but to bring me in like this to say thanks is very humbling.”

Gus Buttice has worked with Herwig for the last seven years, most recently sharing locker room security duty with Herwig.

“It’s going to be tough, it’ll be hard (to see him go),” Buttice said. “Gary has been not only a guy I work with for all these years, but he’s also a friend. Whoever they bring over, it won’t be the same.

“Gary had a special something about him.”