JOINT BASE MYER-HENDERSON HALL, Va.--How do you thank someone for a dedicated career of service to her country?
You bring out the nation's finest ceremonial unit, the 3rd Infantry Regiment--the Old Guard, the US Army Band "Pershing's Own," the piping of the Fife and Drum Corps, and precision of the US Army Continental Color Guard. It doesn't hurt to have the Chief of Staff of the Army show up and personally thank you, either.
The Surgeon General of the Army, Lt. Gen. Patricia Horoho, retired on Dec. 15, 2015, after a distinguished career of more than 30 years. The ceremony, which was held in Conmy Hall, Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Virginia, was hosted by Gen. Mark Milley.
Much of Horoho's family, including her husband Col. (ret.) Ray Horoho, and her children John and Maggie attended. A platoon of siblings and in-laws also joined the celebration of her career.
Milley pointed out in his remarks that the family members in attendance collectively had more than 168 years of service in the military. For the Horohos, service to the nation's military is a "family business," he said.
Milley mentioned some of the highlights of Horoho's commands. Horoho was the first nurse to be The Surgeon General. Prior to that, Horoho commanded Walter Reed Army Medical Center with 5,000 military personnel at the time, and commanded the Western Regional Health Command, which covered 20 states with 570,000 beneficiaries. She achieved "unprecedented success" with her commands, he added.
Horoho has been "a transformational leader," said Milley. He awarded her the Distinguished Service Medal for her years of service.
"She is the embodiment of all I expect in senior leaders." Milley said, "My hat is off to you."
Horoho has worked to transform Army healthcare from a health care system to a system for health that proactively promotes health and wellness. Horoho is credited with leading a change in culture of health and healthcare in the Army. An Army that is fit and healthy is an Army that can rapidly respond and deploy.
Although her significant accomplishments bestowed bragging rights, Horoho was humble and modest in her remarks.
"Today, we gather not to reflect upon me or my years of service as a Soldier, we gather to celebrate our relationships and the trust we've had in each other," she said, "Service is not possible without a committed effort to build and maintain relationships, and relationships are not possible without trust."
"Trust is the glue that binds service and relationships," she said.
Horoho was deeply appreciative of the support she has had from family and friends during her career. She thanked God, her parents, her entire family, and her brothers- and sisters-in-arms. "As I prepare for the next rendezvous with destiny, the credit for my service for the past 33 years is all yours," she said.
Horoho concluded by saying, "With the deepest gratitude and respect, I am an American Soldier."
What's next for Horoho? That's undetermined, but if Horoho brings the same vision and energy to the next stop in her career, it will bring unparalleled success to any organization.
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