Dempsey retires

By Guv Callahan, Pentagram Staff WriterOctober 7, 2015

Dempsey retires
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, 18th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, walks off Summerall Field with his wife, Deanie, and grandchildren following an Armed Forces Full Honors Retirement and Change of Responsibility Ceremony on the Fort Myer p... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Dempsey retires
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, 18th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, dances with his wife, Deanie, during an Armed Forces Full Honors Retirement and Change of Responsibility Ceremony on the Fort Myer portion of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin Dempsey turned over the reins to Marine Gen. Joseph Dunford and hung up his uniform after 41 years of service during an emotional change of command and retirement ceremony on the Fort Myer portion of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall Sept. 25.

President Barack Obama and Defense Secretary Ashton Carter were among the dignitaries and leaders who attended the full-honors military ceremony on Summerall Field, where rain abated just long enough to see Dempsey off and welcome Dunford as the highest ranking military officer in the United States.

"I am confident in telling you, Marty, you will be missed," said Carter, the first of the afternoon's speakers. "In the situation room, all listened attentively when Marty offered his advice."

In his remarks, Obama said Dempsey was an invaluable advisor and friend.

"Over these last four years, Marty's wisdom, his vision and his character have helped the greatest fighting force the world has ever known," Obama said, calling Dempsey "a singular leader for our military and our nation, and one of the finest men that I know."

Obama said he chose Dempsey for chairman because of his vision and reliability, as well as his commitment to his nation.

"I chose Marty for these leadership roles because of his moral fiber and his deep commitment to American strength and American values," Obama said. "I chose him because of his vision for our military as a more versatile and responsive force. I chose him because he had the steady hand we needed in this moment of transition… Perhaps most of all, I chose him because he's a leader you can trust."

During brief remarks, Dunford, who stepped down last week from his still-fresh position as Commandant of the Marine Corps to become the 19th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said he would continue in Dempsey's footsteps.

"I know that I have big shoes to fill," he told Dempsey. "You are what winning looks like."

When it came time for Dempsey to speak, he said the final day of his career felt very much like his first day as a cadet at West Point.

"I was a little nervous, I was humbled to wear the uniform of an Army officer ... and I was in love with a girl named Deanie," he said, his voice cracking with emotion at the mention of his wife.

Dempsey said the men and women of the United States military are one of the country's greatest assets.

"Our nation and its armed forces remain the world's foremost symbols of strength, of hope and of freedom," Dempsey said. "The generation that is now blessed to serve will do its duty and will ensure that our nation remains strong."

Dempsey, who is proudly Irish, thanked Obama for "allowing me to release my inner leprechaun from time to time" at National Security Council Meetings.

"When they really respect someone, they say simply 'You're a good man,'" Dempsey said of the Irish. "Well, you're a good man, Joe Dunford."

Obama also said he could not be more confident in the advice and counsel Dunford would give him in the coming months.

"We're going to have a lot of work to do, not just after Marty's gone, but after I'm gone," Obama said. "We have to degrade and ultimately destroy ISIL and remnants of Al Qaeda. We have to adapt our defenses for the 21st Century. We have to give our troops the support they need to meet their missions."

Carter called Dunford a "battle-hardened commander" with the "strategic wisdom of a statesman."

"Joe Dunford is the kind of officer Marines want to follow," Carter said. "The chairman will soon change, but the quality of council they provide to the president and the caliber of their leadership will endure."

Obama mentioned a wooden box Dempsey kept on his desk, a box containing 132 cards with the information of every Soldier who died under his command in Iraq. On the box are the words "Make it Matter."

To close his remarks, Dempsey said simply: "To all who will continue to serve after, I ask only this in parting: make it matter."

The ceremony ended with a rousing musical tribute, which concluded with Dempsey singing "The Parting Glass" in front of the crowd as family and friends looked on.