Photo By Spc. Anthony Martinez | The Retirees participate in the cake cutting ceremony moments after a retirement...... read more read more
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FORT BUCHANAN, Puerto Rico- Family, friends, and colleagues of 13 U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers came together to honor and recognize their combined 408 years of federal service to the U.S. Army, during a retirement ceremony held at Ramon Hall on Fort Buchanan, April 8.
1st Mission Support Command Retirement Ceremony recognized Soldiers for their distinguished service as they prepare to transition into new careers, new goals and new challenges.
The retirees honored include Col. Hector L. Agosto; Lt. Col. Arturo Calzadillas, Jr.; Cpt. Jose R. Medina; Cpt. Adelso Antonio; 1st Sgt. Hector Rodriguez; 1st Sgt. Rafael Ramos; 1st Sgt. Angel Santiago; Msg. Jose A. Davila; Msg. Carlos M. Lopez; Sfc. Anibal Cruz; Sfc. Juan C. Caceres; Sfc. Ernesto Correa; and Sgt. Samuel Marcano.
“The retirement ceremony is the way that you encapsulate all of the honor and celebration of a Soldier’s service, and not just their service, but their families’ service,” said Brig. Gen. Alberto C. Rosende, commanding general of the 1st Mission Support Command (MSC). “We have to honor and celebrate the sacrifices, the commitment and the dedication of service members and their families for their 20+ years of service.”
To begin, the 1st MSC Honor Guard performed a Flag folding ceremony in which the Flag is carefully folded into the shape of a tri-cornered hat, emblematic of the hats worn by colonial soldiers during the war for Independence. In the folding, the red and white stripes are finally wrapped into the blue, as the light of day vanishes into the darkness of night.
Immediately following the traditional Flag folding ceremony, the retirees were presented with a Certificate of Appreciation on behalf of the Commander in Chief, a Certificate of Appreciation on behalf of the Department of the Army and a Certificate of Retirement. Each retiree received an American flag and a final salute from Brig. Gen. Rosende, culminating their service to this great nation, the 1st MSC, and the U.S. Army.
“You will always be a family member of the 1st MSC, and you’ll always be a soldier for life,” said Rosende. “Regardless of what’s going on, this is your home, you are always welcome here…we expect to see you again.”
Each retiree shared their individual military history including, the sacrifices that their families gave in support of their service during a final emotional speech. They also shared what they will miss most about the Army.
1st Sgt. Hector Rodriguez was honored during the retirement ceremony for his 39 years of dedicated service. “I always expected to have a long career, after the first 20 years I thought that doing 20 extra was going to be easier, but they actually turned out to be gratifying,” said Rodriguez. “I have made many friendships throughout the years that I will keep. I will always carry the pride of contributing to the career progression of my Soldiers.”
Transition from the military life to that of a civilian can often be difficult, but for Sgt. 1st Class Ernesto Correa, his transition has been relatively smooth. “After 29 years of faithful service, it feels good to retire; I never thought this day would come,” said Correa. “I was not expecting to adapt so fast but thank God; the transition has been great. I feel a great satisfaction seeing Soldiers I have mentored as Commissioned Officers, Noncommissioned Officers, and leaders.”
Falling in Correa’s footsteps, his son Ramses also joined the Army. Ramses is currently station in Germany as private first class. “When I was a kid, my father missing my birthdays and significant events was always hard,” said Ramses. “Now that I’m in the Army, I understand what he went through. I am extremely proud of my father, but 29 years, I don’t see myself doing that.”
| Date Taken: | 04.08.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 04.10.2017 14:26 |
| Story ID: | 229833 |
| Location: | GUAYNABO, PR |
| Web Views: | 256 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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