In dress uniforms of black and blue, the Scott brothers performed a facing movement and stood face to face, each one a mirror reflection of the other. They faced each other not as twins or even family, but as military members – an officer and senior non-commissioned officer. But as Senior Master Sgt. Antone Scott’s final salute of his career fell to Cmdr. Anthony Scott, they officially became brothers once again.
This was the scene at Scott’s retirement ceremony here March 9. Scott, 96th Logistics Readiness Squadron, bid farewell to the Air Force after 25 years. Over the last four years, Scott and his brother came together for his promotion ceremonies to both master and senior master sergeant. When it came time for his final ceremony, only his big brother (by three minutes) would do to help him complete his military journey.
“It means the world to me to have my twin-brother officiating,” said Antone, who retires on his mother’s 62nd birthday. “Just the thought of giving my last active-duty salute to him is a memorable moment. It really encompasses our family unity.”
From humble beginnings in Alabama, the brothers joined the military only months apart in 1992-93. Antone “jumped ship,” as Anthony puts it, at the last minute from the Navy to the Air Force.
“I'm very thankful my brother's service, work ethic and unselfish devotion to duty made the Air Force and the country a better place,” said Anthony, who gave Antone his first salute as an officer and is now a commanding officer in North Carolina. “I still look up to him and emulate so many of his awesome life and leadership traits.”
The senior master sergeant said the decision to finally remove the uniform was hard, but he leaves with all of his goals met and ready for a more stress-free life.
Upon reflection, Antone said he would miss his Airmen the most. He said he enjoyed mentoring them, watching them develop and seeing them succeed in doing something bigger than themselves.
Although his Air Force time is over, Antone will never be far from military life. In the past few years, the military has truly become a family business. He has two sons in the Air Force and Army. His brother, Anthony, continues as a Naval officer with one son in the Army and another son contemplating his father’s path to the Navy.
This tradition began with Antone and Anthony in 1992, but who knows how long the Scott family military tradition will continue. Both brothers became grandfathers in the past two years.
“I will always remember the support we’ve given each other through the decades as husbands, fathers and now grandfathers,” said Antone.
Story was originally posted to the Eglin AFB website on March 12, 2018 and may be found at https://www.eglin.af.mil/News/Article/1463652/twin-helps-brother-with-final-air-force-salute/
Date Taken: | 03.13.2018 |
Date Posted: | 03.13.2018 08:48 |
Story ID: | 269126 |
Location: | EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, FLORIDA, US |
Web Views: | 1,979 |
Downloads: | 0 |
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