My former pilot retired from USAF today

[Tail_Gunner]

Today (Tue 8/14/07) was my PILOT's last working day in the Air Force. I wanted to do something special for him to mark the ending of his 23 year military career.

So today I got off work early and drove about 80 miles to the Air Force ROTC office at Mich Tech University where he has been the commander for the last two school years. I intentionally got there at the end of his last working day, just as he was ready to go home.

As we left the building, I turned around, came to attention and said:
"Sir, MSgt Wales requests the honor & privilege of rendering to the Lt. Col, the final salute of his active duty Air Force career." At which time I saluted him and added that it had been an honor to have flown and served with him.

He returned my salute in a somewhat choked up manner. I don't expect a lot of you folks to understand the significance of what I did for him. But any of my fellow vets here definately will.

After that I gave him a hat just like mine that says "Retired USAF" on it, which he immediately put on with pride.

Tomorrow, he must decide which of several job offers he is going to accept, flying for the airlines or working for the company which made the B-2 Stealth Bomber he flew for many years.

Wherever the road takes him in his new life as a civilian, I will miss him. He is a "class act" like no other.

 

[ktpauley]

Kent, that shows the respect you have for the man, not only for his rank. He must have been 1 great Officer and Commander. Keith

 

[WD40]

Kent, so glad that you were able to do this for him and wanted to do it. We go though life and don't have to many friends like this any more.
Just glad you could do it. Thanks for shearing this story.
EX Navy Guy

 

[JLDickmon]

you rule, Kent.

 

[bushpilot]

VERY NICE ! Thanks for you Service (and please share w/ your pilot
that we appreciate his service too !)

im curious what about what he'll choose....keep us up today on his
decision if you dont mind.

 

[Zookie400]

after looking at your photos, i understand where your screen name came from. that must have been an AWESOME job.

 

[acjjkamp]

that was awsome Kent

ex USAF

 

[sagebel]

Well done. (BZ for us Navy guys) As a former enlisted person there were only a very few officers that had enough influence on me that I would be willing to drive 80 miles to see. As an officer, I would be humbled and honored if someone did that for me.

Scott

 

[Tail_Gunner]

UPDATE

im curious what about what he'll choose....keep us up today on his
decision if you dont mind.

I just heard from him today.

He, the wife & kids are moving back to the Sedailia, MO area and are leaving da U.P. tomorrow to go house hunting.

He will be doing much the same thing he did while stationed there in the Air Force. He will be teaching acadamic classroom training to B-2 Bomber pilot candidates at Whiteman AFB. Only now he will be wearing a polo shirt instead of a flight suit. I suspect it will be a very, very long time before we see each other again. He was the only guy I was ever on a crew with, that bothered to stay in touch.

My loss will be Missouri's gain.

 

[WD40]

Sedailia, MO is about 6 hours north of me and we are planing to go there in Oct for a camping trip. Looking forward to it because I have never been that far north in MO. Should be a good trip.