Retirement Ceremony

Below are my remarks (not long enough to be a speech really) from my Navy retirement ceremony.

They were given on Saturday, April 12th 2010.

Good afternoon

I want to thank everyone here, Commander Lund, Capt Whitman and Petty Officer Ward and everybody here, who took time from their cherished Saturday to see some old salt, wax on. I promise to keep my remarks short; for there is cake.

The philosopher Jean Paul Sartre said that “For an occurrence to become an adventure, it is necessary and sufficient for one to recount it”

But to call the last 20 years of Navy service an adventure is a comical understatement. To call it a challenge daunts the very word, as I was. And yet in all of that, it was also a complete and unmitigated blast. Made so by my brothers and sisters in arms. Thanks to all of you for your trust in me. It humbles me to think that such a high caliber of sailors, would on any day, even consider me a contemporary, but even more so, a friend.

Of course none of it would have been possible without the help and support of my family, my wife Bonnie, my boys Matthew and William, Mom and Dad, and my brother Chris. Your love patience and sacrifice mean everything to me, I am deeply indebted for it.

I wish to leave you with the words of George Washington. At his retirement dinner '...With a heart full of love and gratitude I now take leave of you. I most devoutly wish that your latter days may be as prosperous and happy as your former ones have been glorious and honorable.'

Thank-you