FORT RUCKER, Ala. (July 31, 2014) -- A retirement ceremony was held July 25 at the Army Aviation Museum that honored nine retirees.
Their service accounted for more than 227 combined years of service, and over 30 combat, operational and overseas assignments, and 24 combat deployments around the world.
But as incredible as those numbers are, guest speaker Col. David J. Francis, deputy commander, U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence, said that the true impact of their careers could not be measured.
"Today we get to celebrate … distinguished Soldiers, all of whom were instrumental in making the Army what it is today as they joined 20 to 30 years ago," he said. "We can count your years of service and deployments, but the true impact of your careers cannot be reduced to statistics.
"We will never know how many Soldiers and Family members you trained, mentored and led to success over the course of your careers. How many Soldiers decided to make the Army a career because of your encouragement and example. How many young men and women decided to join the Army because they wanted to be like you," he continued. "We will never know the number of Family members you assisted through multiple deployments or comforted over the loss of a loved one. We will never know the thousands of sacrifices ... that you and your Families made as you served your country over the last two or three decades. You have our thanks and our admiration for your service and sacrifice."
Col. James Muskopf
Muskopf entered military service in 1984. During his 30 years of military service, he served in numerous locations, including: Kuwait, South Korea and Iraq. He stated the highlight of his career was serving and leading Soldiers in two major combat operations and then commanding the garrison at Fort Rucker. He and his wife, Esther, plan to reside in Pinckard upon retirement.
Col. Stanley Smith
Smith entered military service in 1983. During his 31 years of military service, he served in numerous locations, including: South Korea, Bosnia and Iraq. He stated the highlight of his career was serving, educating and leading the staff, faculty and students of the U.S. Army Warrant Officer Career College for the last 3 ? years. He and his wife, Lisa, plan to reside in Enterprise to start another career.
Col. Brian Diaz
Diaz entered military service in 1985. During his 29 years of military service, he served in numerous locations, including: Germany, South Korea, Iraq and Afghanistan. He stated the highlights of his career were serving and leading Soldiers; pinning airborne wings on his son and daughter; commissioning his daughter to second lieutenant and the life-long relationships he forged throughout his career. He and his wife, Heather, plan to reside wherever life beyond the Army takes them upon retirement.
Col. Michael L. Shenk
Shenk entered the Army in 1988. During his 26 years of service, he served in command and leadership positions at platoon through brigade levels and served as a professor at West Point, Auburn University and Troy University. He also served as a command inspector general and as a senior service college fellow. He stated that the highlight of his career was leading and serving with outstanding Army Soldiers, civilians and their Families -- most notably during Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom, New Dawn and Enduring Freedom. He and his wife, Julianne, will reside in Cedar Park, Texas, upon retirement.
CW4 Paul O. Williamson
Williamson entered military service in 1991. During his 23 years of military service, he served in various locations, including: Somolia, Haiti, Bosnia, Afghanistan, Iraq and Germany. He stated the highlight of his career was meeting his beautiful bride, Rebecca, the birth of his son, Owen, and having the privilege to serve his country alongside outstanding officers, NCOs and Soldiers. He and Rebecca plan to reside in Huntsville upon retirement.
CW3 Quartina Trafford
Trafford entered military service in 1992. During her 22 years of military service. she served in various locations, including: South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Iraq, Afghanistan and Germany. She said the highlight of her career was honorably serving amongst and with the best in the United States armed forces and its allies. Upon retirement, she plans to reside in Birmingham.
1st Sgt. Rance P. Jones
Jones entered military service in 1988. During his 26 years of service, he served in numerous locations, including: Germany, France, Somalia, Bosnia and Iraq. He stated the highlight of his career was traveling the world to help others while serving alongside America's finest Soldiers, troopers and leaders. He and his wife, Cindy, plan to reside in Tampa, Fla., upon retirement.
1st Sgt. Michael Delaney
Delaney entered military service in 1990. During his 24 years of service, he served in numerous locations, including: South Korea, Germany, Italy, Slovenia and Iraq. He stated the highlight of his career was being stationed abroad, establishing flight school training for the Iraqi air force at Contingency Operating Base Speicher, Iraq, and teaching, training and mentoring America's finest Soldiers. He and his wife, Angie, plan to reside in Enterprise upon retirement
Sgt. 1st Class Tecomus D. Musgrove
Musgrove entered military service in 1993. During his 21 years of service, he served in numerous locations, including: Fort Bliss, Texas; Fort Carson, Colo.; Fort Benning, Ga.; Fort Monroe, Va.; Fort Eustis, Va. and Fort Lewis, Wash. He stated the highlight of his career was serving as G-3 operations sergeant for Headquarters Training and Doctrine Command. He and his wife, Iris, plan to reside in Clarksville, Tenn., upon retirement.
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