Retirement

This is one of those things that eventually happens to everyone in the military ... time to leave. For some, that may only be a four year enlistment. In my case, it spanned 24 years ... five Presidents, three aircraft and over 8,000 flying hours.

This page will chronicle my journey through retirement -- TRANSITION, as the Air Force calls it. It starts with preparing to leave, my retirement ceremony, and making that move to civilian life. It will include job and house hunting. Watch it unfold here.

Snow Storm - December 6-8, 2003
The northeast was treated to a heavy 1-2 punch storm, as a cold front from the west combined with a nor'easter from the south to dump over a foot of snow on us. This was the first snow storm of the winter season, and it came in with a bang.
The view from our upstairs window at the height of the storm
The front yard and street	Where's the BBQ grill?	A cornice on the shed roof	Storage shed and AC
Digging the 4Runner out		Reenactor Humor

Retirement Ceremony - December 19, 2003

You can see the snow flurries frozen in the picture

Retirement day has arrived

Matt & Peggy sing the National Anthem

The posting of the colors

Wayne provided an inspirational invocation

Tom delivered a wonderful speech

Awarding the Meritorious Service Medal

Letters of congratulations

The retirement certificate and letter from President Bush

Kristy gets her certificate of appreciation

Tom gives James his last milestone award - 7,500 hours

The signed squadron lithograph

... and shadow box

E.T. does the flag ceremony

... with Bret

Each fold was crisp and sharp

The final salute

Mom posts the retirement orders

Kristy affixes the retirement pin

HUZZAH's all the way around

Mom puts on the REAL retirement pin

RETIRED ... other than that winter at Valley Forge, it was a breeze

Can you read it?

The incredible 7 page speech

Giving flowers to Mom

... flowers to Diane

Flowers to Kristy

... and balloons

... and a coin for David

The crowd is happy the speech is finally over

Family photo

... and the extended family

Gathering for food

The Citation for the Meritorious Service Medal

The retirement cake

Christmas at Washington's Crossing - December 25, 2003

Panoramic of the swollen Delaware River

Ted is part of Washington's honor guard

Diane dons period duds

My former commander shows up with his family

The Durham boats stand ready

Washington addresses the troops

The oarsmen

Firing the cannon

Take a nap at Denny's

Visit to U.S.S. Constellation - December 26, 2003

After Christmas was over, Diane and I took a side trip to Baltimore to see the U.S.S. Constellation. It is a Civil War era sailing ship, and the last full-sailed ship made for the U.S. Navy.