I attended a retirement ceremony this morning.  It's the first one I've actually WANTED to attend.  I've been to others out of a sense of duty, but this one I really wanted to go to.

It was for Chief Master Sergeant E.  CMSgt is the highest enlisted rank you can attain, and only a few ever reach it.  You've got to be something really special to be a Chief.

We've known Chief E since we were in England, 12 years ago.  He was a Staff Sgt and had made Tech Sgt whilst we were there.  We got order to South Dakota, and, after we'd been there for 7 years, Chief E showed up there.  He was the one who got us orders to here, actually.

My husband says that he considers Cheif E a mentor....and if you know anything about my husband, you'll understand what a HUGE compliment that is. 

So, we leave SD, and after we've been here for a year, we run into Chief E in the shopette (Of all places).  He's stationed at HQ here, and tells Dave he wants him to come work for him there.  Time goes by and we keep hearing 'your Chief at SFS won't let you go' and we give up on the idea and start planning for Dave to deploy next year.  However.....Cheif E had other plans:

He called our home last weke to tell my husband that he's finally managed to persuade the SF Squadron to turn him loose, and that Dave will be working at HQ and have a slot for Raven school (Ravens are cops who fly all around the world with staff and the planes and provide security for both).  It's a WONDERFUL career opportunity for my husband, and we are both honoroed that he thinks so much of Dave that he'd bargain to get him (apparently my husband is worth 5 people).  So, that's another bit of news...Dave's going to HQ.  It's a HUGE honor to be selected to go, and Dave thinks he isn't worthy.  I, however, know that he is.

So, Chief E is retiring, and I'm incredibly sad to see him go.  However, he's going back to SD, where Dave and I plan to retire at, so I'm sure we'll see him again.  However, I'm still sad....he always gave both of us a morale boost; Dave as a cop and me as a spouse.  We both come away from seeing him with a gung ho attitude, and I'll miss that.  (I wonder if you can get gung ho down a phone line?  I sure hope so....)

Farewell and godspeed, Chief E.  You will be missed more than you know.  Thank you for the opportunities you've given both Dave and I.  We will never forget you.