Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge My retirement next weekend

I'm pleased in a bittersweet kind of way to announce my retirement from the Arkansas National Guard and the United States Army next weekend on August 6. TomSpdMstr will be in attendance to watch my final formation and retirement ceremony at Camp Robinson in North Little Rock, and my naval officer nephew is coming in from his assignment in JAX to receive my last salute in uniform as I gave him his first salute on his commissioning last August. I first joined the US Army in 1969 and have maintained either active or reserve status since those many years ago. I've been deployed in two wars, a lesser conflict, and following several natural disasters and I've outlasted the M-151 Jeep and the M-14 rifle (as a basic standard weapon). C rations have long been replaced by MRE's, and my beloved UH-1 "Huey" was retired from army inventory this past May. My memories in uniform include watching the grainy images of man first stepping on the moon on a black and white TV set up in a dayroom on Ft. Rucker, AL and watching the explosion of the Challenger on a color TV in the pilot lounge of base ops in Hunter Army Airfield, GA. I've stood in line at 2 AM for a 3-minute MARS call back home when I was in Vietnam, and I've chatted in real time using a laptop with members of this very board during my last deployment to Iraq in 2004. I have many memories - good, not so good, and bloody awful, and I've been blessed to have been able to maintain a level of health, fitness, and presence of mind to make it all the way to this occasion. I've served with, led, and reported to soldiers I would trust with my life, and I've served with soldiers I wouldn't trust as far as I could throw them. My final assignment has been one which I could not have dreamed of having been any better, and I am fully confident in the dedicated young warriors who will remain after I have faded from their memories. I am satisfied that I have set the best example I could, and I have always led from the front going in and covered the rear when in retreat.

It's been a privilege to have served first as player, then as coach, and then as manager, but it's now time to leave the field and take my place in the cheap seats section of the bleachers. I'll be watching the "game" and wishing I were back in it.

Having said all that, the retirement check every month is going to be SWEET and my trips to Amsterdam will be a lot more fun now that I don't have to do random drug testing (not that I'd do anything wrong...)!!!

Cool, John. I'll have to buy you a celebratory beer at the rally. Thank you for your service to us and our country. I am grateful for guys like you.
That being said... ...to you and enjoy your new start.

Thank you for your service....

and although men like you done like to be called this.... I will do it anyway... you are a true American Hero in my book....

Thank you again...

Congratulations! And more importantly, Thanks for your service!

Enjoy that retirement. Carry on.

I enjoyed reading your post so much... I read it twice. Thank you for your service. Congratulations & best wishes on your retirement.

Well, you've always been a gentleman and a scholar in my book, John.

Thanks for your service and congrats on your retirement, ol' buddy!

(...and now on to the "segundo" part of your life, eh?!)

That is about one of the best post I have read in the about 6 years I have been on this board.

Best of luck in your well earned added riding time.

Congratulations!! Love that piece of paper that starts with: "To all who shall see these presents, greeting:"...
But, as you noted, nothing can replace the memories, good and bad. Along with the monthly input to your bank acct, you'll also enjoy Tricare cost's and coverage, which you earned.
Again, Congratulations and Thank you your service.

I most enjoyed reading your post, and got a kick out of the last bit! Thank you and best to you in your retirement.

Congrats John old friend, you have definitely earned it!

Wow, I really didn't see that last part coming.

Congrats!

Congratulations on your retirement John! When in Amsterdam, lose the suit before you hit the Melkweg!


(pre-retirement roast)

Good on you John. Just remember, at the ceremony - don't tear up (don't ask how I know this). It'll be harder than you think. But I must say, being retired from the military is one of the best things about having served in the military. Fair winds and following seas brother.

Congratulations & Thank You John

jh

Congratulations and thank you for your services to democracy

Gentleman, I salute you. Thank you.

By the way, having spent more time than I should have in Amsterdam, I am certain a man with the patience that the military breeds like yourself will have a tremendous time if you visit that fine city.

Congratulations!!

Beautifully written and thank you for your life long service to us and our country. All my best in the next phase of your life.

Congratulations John! And thank you for your service.

Say John, just curious of what is so appealing in Amsterdam, besides the Heineken Brewery that keeps bring you back?
Have a great Retirement. I reminisce every time we visit our sons that are now both serving.

USAF Master Sargent Retired.

Congratulations!!! I love to hear about a guy that's done right, and finally gets to retire!

My father served in the Australian army during ww2, in Syria and New Guinea. Since he passed 12 years ago I often think that I could have thanked him more for his service to his family and country. I joined this forum so I could reply to your post.

Thankyou Sir, and best wishes for your retirement.

Roy

Congratulations on your retirement, and Thank You for your service. Enjoy your retirement, youve definitely earned it!

Congratulations and thanks for your service John. If you're ever up around Springfield, give me a yell and we'll swap "war" stories. As we say in the Navy, "Fair winds and following seas".

Thanks everyone!

One of my favorite many memories is from the late 70's flying in the back of a Huey off the coast of Oahu at about 500 feet. A bunch of guys on one of the fishing boats we passed mooned us, so my aircraft broke formation, turned around, and I hung my bare a$$ out while hanging onto the stantion as we flew back by the yahoos just off the deck. I looked over my shoulder, and they were all laughing and pointing, so I'm glad we made their day. I'm certain that somewhere out there is a picture of my white butt wiggling in the breeze. Where else can you do something like and get away with it but in the military?



Ah, the memories!

Here's our buddy John's Retirement Pic:

JCBullen

That's better:
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What's up with the plastic easter bunny?

That's one for John to tell.

Hats off to you. A brave new world awaits. (It's only scary a little while).

Surrounded By chilluns.

BEER'S ON JOHN, YAY!!!!

Thank you for your service! Enjoy the retirement!

Thanks for your service and good luck on your new adventure.

You rock, Thank you for your service and enjoy your retirement, you've earned it!