Well after 35 years of being in the Air Force and working for the Dept of the Air Force I officially retired today. May 4 marks my 56 birthday and the end of a long career which started in 1980. I got off of active duty and joined the Reserves the next day, that led too a Air Reserve Technicians job and lots of travel and friends in between......
Saturday May 2 I said farewell too all my co-workers in a retirement ceremony of my piers, and it was one heck of a send off that few here would understand, For anyone who's served and have attended a ceremony it's something too enjoy. But standing up on the stage and hearing all the nice things said by a lot of quality people who I've had the pleasure of serving next too was something I hope you all could experience.
The toughest part of the whole night is when I was given the stage too make my final comments and thanking all who past and present who have helped me and in some cases gave me a swift kick in the ass too get me through these 35 years...... But looking at my wife and daughter who I had saved for the last, trying too thank them for all that they have endured over the years of my absence was one of the toughest things I've faced as an adult.... How do you put into words the thanks and the apologies for being there when I wasn't? The birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas's and everything in between. I was in Panama when my son started walking and he thought another man was his father that was standing in line at a grocery store..... My daughter went through some very tough times that my wife had too deal with and me deployed to the gulf...... And a myriad of nit picking things that families go through that normally aren't a big deal but when you're gone for months at a time make a big deal when you call home.... I just listened and let her vent most times as I was the only ear she could do it too.... Well too say it was tough up on that stage was an understatement..... I choked up and had too take a minute too gain composure..... But I did it and with both my wife and daughter (and half the audience) in tears I hugged them both...... I never realized how emotional it would be, but it was one tough time that's for sure.... My son (currently active duty AF) experienced some of what I went through as he couldn't get leave too come home too be part of the celebration, wasn't happy that he missed it and he was bummed but he knows I know how it goes.....
So I want too put a big thank you out too all who have wished me a happy birthday and wishing me well in my retirement and know that I appreciate every last word of it.......
Saturday May 2 I said farewell too all my co-workers in a retirement ceremony of my piers, and it was one heck of a send off that few here would understand, For anyone who's served and have attended a ceremony it's something too enjoy. But standing up on the stage and hearing all the nice things said by a lot of quality people who I've had the pleasure of serving next too was something I hope you all could experience.
The toughest part of the whole night is when I was given the stage too make my final comments and thanking all who past and present who have helped me and in some cases gave me a swift kick in the ass too get me through these 35 years...... But looking at my wife and daughter who I had saved for the last, trying too thank them for all that they have endured over the years of my absence was one of the toughest things I've faced as an adult.... How do you put into words the thanks and the apologies for being there when I wasn't? The birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas's and everything in between. I was in Panama when my son started walking and he thought another man was his father that was standing in line at a grocery store..... My daughter went through some very tough times that my wife had too deal with and me deployed to the gulf...... And a myriad of nit picking things that families go through that normally aren't a big deal but when you're gone for months at a time make a big deal when you call home.... I just listened and let her vent most times as I was the only ear she could do it too.... Well too say it was tough up on that stage was an understatement..... I choked up and had too take a minute too gain composure..... But I did it and with both my wife and daughter (and half the audience) in tears I hugged them both...... I never realized how emotional it would be, but it was one tough time that's for sure.... My son (currently active duty AF) experienced some of what I went through as he couldn't get leave too come home too be part of the celebration, wasn't happy that he missed it and he was bummed but he knows I know how it goes.....
So I want too put a big thank you out too all who have wished me a happy birthday and wishing me well in my retirement and know that I appreciate every last word of it.......