I retired from the Naval Service yesterday. After 26 years of service, though 23 were separated from the previous three by seven years. Very humbling as I was honored to have family, shipmates and friends in attendance and participating. Several notable facts: my co-retiree and the senior officer in the official party, an Admiral-select – in itself singularly remarkable – were both former enlisted men who had become Chief Petty Officers before Officer selection. Also, this was the first, or most likely first, instance of retirement awards bestowed by the brand-new Commander, TENTH Fleet, and third, the first instance I am aware of a dual, simultaneous flag ceremony. Flawlessly performed.
Truths, Half-truths, and Sea Stories 