Photo By Spc. Cody Campana | Master Sgt. Alexander Searcy is supported by his family during the 363rd Training...... read more read more
MESA, Ariz. - Six members of the 2nd Battalion, 363rd Regiment (Training Support) 5th Armored Brigade, Division West, First Army were honored at a retirement ceremony at the Arizona Wing of the Commemorative Air Force Museum in Mesa, Ariz., Aug. 5.
Maj. Geraldine Daniels-Dixon, Maj. Antoinette Perez, Capt. Michael Garcia, Master Sgt. Steven Sheets, Master Sgt. Alexander Searcy, and Sgt. 1st Class Felix Ponce were honored at the ceremony, and they dedicated a combined 200 years to the Army.
“It’s a bittersweet time for me; I have made lifelong friends in the Army,” said Capt. Michael Garcia, who retired after 23 years of service in the Army. “Leaving all of the comradeship and friendship behind is difficult to articulate.”
Garcia was one of three officers honored at the ceremony. He enlisted in the Army and served many years before becoming an officer.
“I have served in the ranks of the [non-commissioned officers] and as an officer,” said Garcia. “I can’t overstate the importance of the NCOs to the Army.”
Garcia is just one of the soldiers retiring, who believe the Army has been a very positive influence on their lives.
“[The Army] has made me the person I am,” said Master Sgt. Alexander Searcy, who retired after 38 years of service in the Army. “I always had help of the people who gave me the motivation to keep on going and eventually help and train other people,”
Searcy served in several different occupations throughout his military career, including drill sergeant, which helped him build charisma, he said.
“I use to have a real big issue with stage fright,” said Searcy. “The military has helped me come over that.”
These soldiers still have the opportunity to stay active in the military. Col. Rance Farrell, retired, the guest speaker for the ceremonies, spoke on some of these opportunities.
“All of you who are retiring, and those of you who are serving, have tremendous capabilities,” said Farrell. “You are not done yet, there is more you can do for your country.”
Farrell has been around the military for most of his life, graduating from the United States Military Academy at West Point, and serving 32 years in the Army. He was elected the 7th Region president of the Association of the United States Army, a national nonprofit educational service organization headquartered in Washington and designed to support the military and veterans.
“Thank you for what you are doing and what you have done,” Farrell said. “I know not everybody appreciates what you are doing but I do. You fought the hard fight and you endured the multiple separations from your family.”
| Date Taken: | 08.05.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 08.05.2012 22:34 |
| Story ID: | 92692 |
| Location: | MESA, ARIZONA, US |
| Web Views: | 146 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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