FORT RUCKER, Ala. (May 2, 2013) -- The quarterly retirement ceremony took place April 26 at the U.S. Army Aviation Museum where friends and Family gathered to honor Soldiers that served the United States with distinction.
The 15 retirees accounted for more than 356 combined years of service, and some of the notable things that have occurred on these Soldiers' watch include the end of the Cold War and the fall of the Soviet Union, according to Col. Stuart J. McRae, Fort Rucker garrison commander and the ceremony's guest speaker.
"[These retirees] experienced multiple changes to uniforms, transitions to new equipment and standards, and many remember an Army without computers or copiers," he said, adding that over the course of all of their Army careers they all had made an incredible difference.
Col. Richard C. Stockhausen
Stockhausen entered military service in 1983. During his 30 years of military service he served multiple combat tours in support of Operations Desert Shield and Storm, as well as Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom. He stated the highlight of his career was serving and leading Soldiers in three major combat operations. He and his wife, Diana, plan to reside wherever life beyond the Army takes them.
Lt. Col. Jeffery B. Henderson
Henderson entered military service in 1981. During his 32 years of military service he has served five combat tours in support of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. Henderson said the highlight of his career was his final tour where he was the Aviation officer-in-charge for Joint Sustainment Command, Afghanistan. He and his wife, Tavia, plan to reside in Macon, Ga.
Lt. Col. Roderick M. Hynes
Hynes entered military service in 1993. During his 20 years of military service he has served multiple combat tours in support of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. He stated that the highlight of his career was commanding a battalion in combat and bringing every Soldier home. He and his wife, Allison, plan to reside in Huntsville.
CW5 Ross Morrison
Morrison entered military service in 1978. During his 35 years of military service, he has deployed to the Balkans, and served multiple combat tours in support of Operations Desert Storm and Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. The highlight of his career was his assignment as the Fort Rucker safety director and Aviation Branch safety officer. He and his wife, Sharon, plan to reside in Copperas Cove, Texas.
CW4 Deborah Barthell
Barthell entered military service in 1987. During her 26 years of military service, she has served multiple combat tours in support of Operations Desert Storm, and Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. The highlight of her career was serving as the course director for the warrant officer candidate course at the Warrant Officer Career College. Upon retirement, she plans to reside in Phenix City, Ala.
CW4 Michael Brewer
Brewer entered military service in 1990. During his 23 years of military service, he has deployed to the Mediterranean Sea and has served multiple combat tours in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He stated that the highlight of his career was earning the title of U.S. Marine. He and his wife, Brenda, plan to reside in Enterprise.
CW4 Walter Crawford Jr.
Crawford entered military service in 1991. During his 22 years of military service he has served multiple combat tours in support of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. He stated that the highlight of his career was being able to serve his country. He and his wife, Cynthia, plan to reside wherever God sends them.
CW4 Douglas Warwick
Warwick entered military service in 1991. During his 22 years of military service he has served multiple combat tours in support of Operation Iraqi freedom. The highlight of his career was having both grandfathers pin his wings on upon graduation from flight school. His wife's name is Misty.
CW3 Joseph Morano
Morano entered military service in 1986. During his 27 years of military service he served multiple combat tours in support of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. The highlight of his career was serving as an exchange Soldier to Japan and being a part of the first unit to deploy with a UH-60M helicopter. He and his wife, Jodee, plan to reside near the Gulf Coast of Florida.
CW3 Rondia Hill
Hill entered military service in 1989. During her 23 years of military service she has served multiple combat tours in support of Operations Desert Shield and Storm and Operation Enduring Freedom. She stated that the highlight of her career was being a tactical officer for the WOCC where she influenced future warrant officers and saw them transition into future leaders. She and her husband, Steven, plan to reside in Midland City, Ala.
CW3 Scott Ross
Ross entered military service in 1990. During his 22 years of military service he has served three combat tours in support of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. The highlight of his career was safely returning from combat and rejoining his Family. He and his wife, Nanette, plan to reside in Enterprise.
CW3 James Henderson
Henderson entered military service in 1993. During his 20 years of military service he has served multiple combat tours in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He stated that the highlight of his career was being led and leading some of the best people in the world in defense of the country. He and his wife, Alice, plan to reside in Enterprise.
First Sgt. John Orr
Orr entered military service in 1984. During his 29 years of military service he has served multiple combat tours in support of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. The highlight of his career was working as an operations NCO for First Army and training the Iraqi Army. He and his wife, Tina, plan to reside in Atlanta.
Master Sgt. James Strickland Jr.
Strickland entered military service in 1989. During his 23 years of military service he has deployed to combat in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He stated that the highlight of his career was raising his Family while serving his country. He and his wife, Kathi, plan to reside in Enterprise.
Sgt. 1st Class William Butler
Butler entered military service in 1990. During his 22 years of military service he has served multiple combat tours in support of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. The highlight of his career was serving in a joint command for United States Forces Afghanistan. He and his wife, Tonja, plan to reside in Enterprise.
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