QUINCY, ILL. -- For the past eight and half years, Majors Alan and Carol Wurtz have been the faces of the Quincy Salvation Army.

Earlier this month they got the news that they had been reassigned to the Army's Territorial Headquarters in Des Plaines, Illinois.

Sunday, January 30th was their last worship service in Quincy and they were heading to their new home and new jobs shortly after.

A reception was held after the service to see them off and wish them well.

KHQA's Jarod Wells was on hand for the tearful goodbyes.

Tears, smiles, hugs and handshakes. It certainly was an emotional gathering at the Quincy Salvation Army Sunday as Majors Alan and Carol Wurtz said their final goodbyes to the congregation that has become family over the last eight and a half years.

Major Carol Wurtz said, "This has been probably one of the most difficult experiences as ministers. We've been here eight and a half years. We came here just after our daughter was born and we walked into this place and this congregation embraced us immediately and it's been like that for eight and a half years."

Major Alan Wurtz said, "It's been an emotional roller coaster, I can tell you that much. We love this town. I think when you put your heart into something, it's difficult to let it go. Even today I just well up with tears because of all the memories that you make over that time frame and it is just so tough to let go."

Major Carol said, "This is not only our congregation, this is our family. We've been through a lot together. Our son was born here and these are people that we will hold dear forever, forever."

It's evident that the Wurtz family has touched the hearts of all those they have come in contact with.

What are you going to remember about the Wurtz family?

Sue Dulaney said, "Their unconditional love. Always a positive, up beat attitude. Carol is the comedian. Alan is the businessman, but together they make an extraordinary team. Doesn't matter what your station is in life, they're going to love you."

The Quincy community has had just as much of an impact on Majors Alan and Carol.

Major Carol said, "That's one of the things I'll always remember about Quincy, is that people value relationships. They say hello, they look you in the eye and they say hello and how are you and they really want to know."

Major Alan said, "Very caring, very giving people, very generous, very loving people. Anything that would be on the positive side of Quincy, I would emulate in a moment. This is a fabulous community."

Major Carol said, "We have found a community here of people who genuinely care about each other. That has been evident with the Army in fundraising. This community has come through like I have never seen before."

And to hear Major Alan talk, this town hasn't seen the last of the Wurtz family.

Major Alan said, "If I could retire today, it's in Quincy. I think when I get to that age, which is a long ways down the road, this is where I want to be."

Major Alan Wurtz says his family was able to leave their mark on the Kroc Center.

While walking through the building Saturday, they wrote their names on a beam with permanent marker.

He says now they will always be a part of the project.

The Wurtzs' replacements have been named.

They are Majors Dan and Dorene Jennings from The Salvation Army's Territorial Office.

They will take the helm at the Quincy office, as well as the operations at the Kroc Center when it opens this summer.