It was a joke

You're not alone, OP. I worked three years at my last job, in an industry where people rarely work in one place for a year, let alone longer. They had an employee anniversary plaque with the names of everyone who had worked there for a year or more, and guess whose name was never put on it, even after (politely) bringing it up to them more than once? In short, I feel your pain. It's hard to get any kind of appreciation at a job these days.

Well, at least you have chocolate

Should've stood out more as an employee

seriously? He didn't sign the card? wah....stop whining.