ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL, Ill. -- First Army and the Rock Island Arsenal community thanked two Soldiers for their 41 years of combined service during the quarterly Arsenal retirement and retreat ceremony held March 9.
The retirees were Sgt. 1st Class Daniel Blackburn, a Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear Noncommissioned Officer in Charge for Support Operations, Army Sustainment Command, and Sgt. 1st Class Jeremy Jones, a Digital Training Management System Training Coordinator and Training NCO, for First Army.
Maj. Gen. Kevin O'Connell, commanding general, Army Sustainment Command, said he felt honored serving as guest speaker.
"This is a great day for the Rock Island Arsenal, the Army and the Blackburn and Jones' families," he said. "I like to (speak at retirement ceremonies) when I'm in town. They are special to me. I know these ceremonies are special to the families."
O'Connell joked that 2016 is proving to be a great year for retirees citing himself, NBA Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant and retired NFL quarterback Peyton Manning.
Blackburn and Jones said they're looking forward to spending time with their families and giving back to the community.
"It means a lot. Everybody currently with me has served at one point or another," Blackburn, a native of Taylor, Michigan, said in referring to his family in attendance including his son, a Senior Airmen in the U.S. Air Force.
Jones, a native of Athens, Ohio, said the retirement ceremony is special for the families.
"Today was special. (The ceremony) was more for my wife and children and the sacrifices they've made for my career," he said. "It's been a blast. I loved every minute of it. I have zero regrets."
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