Service members officially bid farewell to military during retirement ceremony here

By Joan VaseyOctober 22, 2015

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1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Retiring Service members, their Families and the audience stand during the Quarterly Installation Retirement Ceremony Oct. 16 on Fort Huachuca's historic Brown Parade Field. Eleven Service members were honored that day for the time they spent in the ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Following the ceremony, those who attended the event offered congratulations to the latest group of military retirees and their Families on Brown Parade Field. Spouses were honored with certificates of appreciation and bouquets of flowers during the ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Fort Huachuca, Arizona -- Eleven Service members along with Family, friends and community members shared a day of celebration honoring their collective 249 years of military service during their official retirement ceremony on Brown Parade Field Oct. 16.

Ten members of the Army and one Naval officer were honored during the event hosted by the Network Enterprise Technology Command (NETCOM).

Following opening remarks, the playing of the national anthem by the Military Intelligence Corps Band and the invocation, the narrator individually introduced each retiree and shared his or her duty position, including awards and decorations, stated their final award upon retirement, introduced the immediate Family members and told where each Service member planned to reside after separation from service. Each retiree received a certificate of appreciation signed by the president, a certificate of retirement and a retirement flag. Each spouse also received a certificate of appreciation for support to his or her Service member.

The guest speaker was Col. Steven J. Keller, G4, NETCOM who spoke after each retiree received his or her awards.

"Today I am proud to say we have and maintain an all-volunteer force," Keller said. "Those of you who have served and those of you who will continue to serve represent only one percent of the population, but with the full responsibility to protect our nation. Those who serve and their Families understand the sacrifice -- but that doesn't make it easy and that is why you are the proud one percent who chose to serve. Today we have the honor to show our thanks for the service of eleven American patriots and their Families," he added.

Finally, in time-honored tradition and closing the ceremony, members of B Troop, 4th U.S. Cavalry Regiment (Memorial), made their traditional cavalry charge across Brown Parade Field.

Retirees honored during the ceremony included:

Col. Lisa K. Price

Col. Lisa K. Price retired after 26 years of service in the U.S. Army. Her last assignment was deputy commander to training, U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence (USAICoE). As her final military award, she received the Legion of Merit. Price plans to reside in Sierra Vista, Arizona.

Lt. Cmdr. Joshua A. Hengst

Lt. Cmdr. Joshua A. Hengst retired with 20 years of service in the U.S. Navy. He was last assigned as combatant command liaison officer, conducting operational testing at the Joint Interoperability Test Command. Hengst was presented with the Defense Meritorious Service Medal. He, his wife, Sindi, and child, Noel, plan to reside in Arlington, Virginia.

Chief Warrant Officer Four James T. Hathaway

Chief Warrant Officer Four James T. Hathaway left the military with more than 31 years of active duty service in the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Army. His final assignment was as the brigade aviation safety officer for the 111th Military Intelligence Brigade and as an MC-12 instructor pilot for the Special Electronic Mission Aircraft, Bravo Company, 304th Military Intelligence Battalion and USAICoE. His last military award, presented during the ceremony, was the Meritorious Service Medal. Along with his wife, Annette, and children Joshua, Noel and Joel, Hathaway plans to live in Sierra Vista, Arizona.

Capt. Gary Collier Jr.

Capt. Gary Collier Jr. has 20 years of service in the U.S. Army. His final assignment was as an instructor for the Military Intelligence Captains Career Course, Alpha Company, 304th MI Bn., USAICoE and received the Meritorious Service Medal during the ceremony. He, his wife, Casey, and two sons, Brian and Austin, will make their home in Kempner, Texas.

Master Sgt. Michelle T. N. Fairley

Master Sgt. Michelle T. N. Fairley retired after 26 years of U.S. Army service. She left her final assignment as the senior chemical operations non-commissioned officer for NETCOM. She received the Meritorious Service Medal and a NETCOM commanding general's note. She and husband, Jeffery, will live in Belton, Texas.

Master Sgt. Adam M. Smith

Master Sgt. Adam M. Smith departed the U.S. Army after 20 years of service. His last assignment was as the chief instructor for the 35F Enlisted Analyst Training Committee, Charlie Company, 305th MI Bn., 111th MI Bde., USAICoE. His final military award was the Meritorious Service Medal. He, his wife, Talena, and daughter, Lily, will reside in Melbourne, Florida.

Sgt. 1st Class Wanees Hereira

Sgt. 1st Class Wanees Hereira has 20 years of service in the U.S. Army. The final assignment of his career was as senior instructor for the Captains Career Course, Alpha Company, 304th MI Bn., 111th MI Bde., USAICoE. During his formal departure from the military, he received the Meritorious Service Medal. He, his wife, Sanae, and daughters Kamilia and Sabrina, will make their home in Sierra Vista, Arizona.

Sgt. 1st Class Michael E. Kolle

Sgt. 1st Class Michael E. Kolle has over 21 years of service in the U.S. Army. His final position was as a recruiting master trainer for the Phoenix West Recruiting Company, U.S. Army Recruiting Battalion Phoenix. He was presented with the Meritorious Service Medal. Kolle, his wife, Regina, and two sons, Michael Jr. and Matthew, are relocating to Buckeye, Arizona.

Sgt. 1st Class Jeremy L. Mullins

Sgt. 1st Class Jeremy L. Mullins has 24 years of U.S. Army service. His final assignment was as a communication security auditor/inspector for the Communications Security Logistics Agency on Fort Huachuca. He received the Meritorious Service Medal as his final Army award. Mullins and his wife, Marjorie, and their three children, Jesse, Cameron and Elisabeth will live in Sierra Vista, Arizona.

Sgt. 1st Class Kyle J. Woolsey

Sgt. 1st Class Kyle J. Woolsey has over 21 years of service in the U.S. Army. He is presently assigned as an instructor and non-commissioned officer in charge for the CREW Master Gunner Course, Bravo Company, 304th MI Bn., 111th MI Bde., USAICoE. Upon retirement, he received the Meritorious Service Medal. He and his wife, Jennifer, and their three children, Christian, Aurora and Anne, will live in Price, Utah.

Staff Sgt. Brian Jimenez

Staff Sgt. Brian Jimenez retired with 20 years of U.S. Army service. His last duty position was as an instructor for the Military Intelligence Captains Course, Alpha Company, 111th MI Bde., USAICoE. He, his wife, Kerri, and two children, Jesse and Emily, will remain in Sierra Vista, Arizona.