PDA

View Full Version : Retirement Ceremony - I'm now one of you!



3arod13
10-11-2008, 08:04 PM
My retirement ceremony was yesterday. A sad day leaving the military after 30 years. I look forward to my life as one of you...a civilian.

Regards, Tony

3arod13
10-11-2008, 08:09 PM
The flag in this shadowbox was flown over Yankee Stadium.

allstarsplus
10-11-2008, 08:09 PM
Tony - Thank you for your service for our country. What are you going to do now?

3arod13
10-11-2008, 08:11 PM
Tony - Thank you for your service for our country. What are you going to do now?


Andrew, thanks for the kind words. I will be working on the same naval base, doing the same thing, except as a civilian government employee. My past Commanding Officer recommended me for the job. They called me, asked for my resume, and I got the job without an interview.

Looking forward to my new job!

Regards, Tony

earlywynnfan
10-11-2008, 08:18 PM
What ship is that? It looks smaller than the Destroyer Escort my grandfather served on.

Ken

Oh, and Congrats!!

3arod13
10-11-2008, 08:25 PM
What ship is that? It looks smaller than the Destroyer Escort my grandfather served on.

Ken

Oh, and Congrats!!

USS CARON (DD 970). Commissioned 1 October 1977. Decommissioned 15 October 2001. Prematurely sinks off the coast of Puerto Rico (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puerto_Rico) as a result of explosives tests.

This was my first ship (1979-1982)

metsbats
10-11-2008, 09:50 PM
Hey Tony,

Congrats!

You are not only an asset to this Forum but more importantly an asset to our Country.

God Bless!

David

indyred
10-11-2008, 10:28 PM
Awesome and enjoy civilian life! That is cool how flag was flown over Yankee Stadium. How was that arranged?

joelsabi
10-11-2008, 11:11 PM
USS CARON (DD 970). Commissioned 1 October 1977. Decommissioned 15 October 2001. Prematurely sinks off the coast of Puerto Rico (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puerto_Rico) as a result of explosives tests.

This was my first ship (1979-1982)

congratulations tony

seeing this photo brings back memories of me going to the dock with my mom and siblings to greet my dad when arriving from being in the seas. i could hear the band playing right now in my ears. living in yokosuka, japan was a fond memory.

30 years of service to you country showed great commitment and great duty to your country. my hats off to you.

scottanservitz
10-11-2008, 11:12 PM
Tony,
Congrats on your retirement! For a minute there I thought all photo matches now would be your new endeavor, but I guess you are going to go on working like the rest of us! Anyways.....a job well done. I thank you.

Scott

BergerKing22784
10-11-2008, 11:40 PM
Well lets see how of a small world it is......... My dad was in the Navy for 27 years so lets see if you guys crossed paths at all.

Couple questions........

1. What did you retire as (rank wise).
2. Any other ships? My dad was on the Nimitz and Kearsarge.... He was on another one forget the name but it was before your first ship experience so I know you were not on that together.
3. Where have you been stationed? I currently live Near Ft. Meade in Maryland.

Norfolk?

island_style
10-12-2008, 05:11 AM
Tony,

Greetings from Hawaii.

Congratulations on your 30 year service in the Military. That is quite an accomplishment, and I admire your dedication and service to our country.

Your contributions to our hobby is also very much appreciated.

Mahalo nui loa (Thank you very much).

Kind Regards,

Ron.

Rsamiano@aol.com

skyking26
10-12-2008, 08:22 AM
A likewise congrats. 30 years of commitment is indeed something to celebrate, and is well appreciated by all!

All the best -

Bob K.

70to66
10-12-2008, 09:15 AM
Tony,
Congrats and Thank You! My brother serves in the Air Force and I know
that Freedom is not Free. Thanks for your service to our country and for the blanket of freedom that you provided us.
70to66

wjonesIII
10-12-2008, 09:34 AM
What a great gift from the Yankees! Congrats!

3arod13
10-12-2008, 12:19 PM
Awesome and enjoy civilian life! That is cool how flag was flown over Yankee Stadium. How was that arranged?

I just wrote a letter to Yankees Public Relations

3arod13
10-12-2008, 12:22 PM
Well lets see how of a small world it is......... My dad was in the Navy for 27 years so lets see if you guys crossed paths at all.

Couple questions........

1. What did you retire as (rank wise).
2. Any other ships? My dad was on the Nimitz and Kearsarge.... He was on another one forget the name but it was before your first ship experience so I know you were not on that together.
3. Where have you been stationed? I currently live Near Ft. Meade in Maryland.

Norfolk?

Chief Warrant Officer 3 (21 years enlisted; 9 years officer)
USS GEORGE WASHINGTON; USS HARRY S. TRUMAN
Germany, Pensacola, FL, Virgina area

3arod13
10-12-2008, 12:23 PM
Thanks to everyone for the kind words. You are all a great bunch of great people. One of the reasons I find myself coming into this forum each day!

Regards, Tony

godwulf
10-12-2008, 12:58 PM
Sincere congratulations, Tony. Fair winds and following seas be always yours.

My Dad warned me against a military career when I was a kid - he'd been an Army medic during Korea, and I guess his impressions of the Service were less than stellar - but I joined the Navy out of High School, anyway, and ended up spending nearly 21 years on active duty...first as a photographer, at the end of Vietnam, then as an acoustic analyst involved in sub tracking, including nine years as an aircrewman on P3Cs.

I got to see a big chunk of the world, and had some really unique experiences, and I certainly don't regret the time spent doing it.

Hey, since we're showing off "collectibles"...here's my shadow box.


http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b8dc31b3127ccec300fdcefde300000010O02EbsmzVu0ZA9 vPhw/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/


The "police"-style badges were from the three years I spent as a Navy Master-at-Arms in Hawaii, the British-looking wings are actually a Canadian Observer badge, awarded to my P3 crew after a joint services assignment in Comox, B.C., and the shoulder braid is from a brief stint as a Battalion Commander at a Navy training command.

A couple of years ago, one of my older sons, who'd recently put in four years as an Army tank mechanic, then got out and put himself through school, went back into the Army with a Warrant Officer's commission and is now learning to fly Blackhawks, in Alabama.

The military life isn't for every person, obviously, but for those who've thrived and survived in it, such as yourself, Tony, it's a life like no other in the world. Again, sincerest congrats!

MRMusial
10-12-2008, 03:48 PM
Hey Tony, let me offer my congratulations as well! My sister-in-law is a retired Marine so I'm aware of the dedication and sacrifice it takes to serve your country.

From a fellow civilian, "thank you!". :D

skyking26
10-12-2008, 06:30 PM
Tony, godwulf, I'd have to think those metals were a little more important/significant than the game used stuff we speak of here all the time. I know they would be to me...

nyjetsfan14
10-12-2008, 08:05 PM
I just wrote a letter to Yankees Public Relations

I once had a reenlistment in the works at a Jets game then came deployment and I ended up reenlisting somewhere in the middle of the Pacific. But I would have reenlisted anywhere...

GO NAVY!

ChrisCavalier
10-13-2008, 08:50 AM
Hello Tony,

While I know many have already said it on this thread, I wanted to echo my appreciation of your dedication and service to our country and I wish you well in all your future endeavors.

bigtruck260
10-13-2008, 10:16 AM
Tony -

Congrats from a Navy 'brat'. My Dad was on the Forrestal from 68-72 and left in '78 for a career at McDonnell Douglas. He always wished he could have retired from the Navy, but things worked out differently. In an age where we tend to 'job hop', it is outstanding that you stuck with it for 30 years...

cohibasmoker
10-13-2008, 10:26 AM
Welcome to the club. You will soon find that there is life after your past career and it all good. I especially like the 1400-1500 hours naps.

Jim

3arod13
10-13-2008, 11:38 AM
Truly appreciarte all the comments. You all are a class act!

Regards, Tony

camarokids
10-13-2008, 12:30 PM
Retirement ???

I guess we can call you "old man" now! ;) :D

Most of the ballplayers we collect do not stay with the same team for even one season.....

You stayed with the same team for 30 years ! Congrats and thank you!

My Great Uncle Red fought in combat in WWII. Whom I considered more of a Grandfather than Uncle. I have many other Uncles and cousins that have served.

This is 100% true, sorry if it is a little graphic. But this has always stuck with me. I heard him tell stories about GI POW's being nailed by the b*lls to a post inside a hut by the Japanese. Then the hut was set ablaze and the GI's were left with a pretty grim and tough choice.

One choice that is damn near unimaginable to me. Makes me appreciate you guys even more...

geoff
10-13-2008, 02:59 PM
Tony Congrats.Thanks for Serving our Country.