Fort Huachuca, Arizona - Ten Soldiers with a collective 227 years of service formally bid farewell to the military and the installation Jan. 20 in Fitch Auditorium during the installation's quarterly retirement ceremony.
Guest speaker Col. Whit Wright, Fort Huachuca garrison commander, spoke on behalf of the Fort Huachuca community as he bid farewell to the retirees and wished them the best as they moved into a new chapter of their lives.
"Today is a remarkable day," Wright said. "I was fully prepared to talk about your transition from service on historic Brown Parade Field, but didn't realize we were going to face Southern Arizona's version of the 'storm of the century.' So my apologies for the warmth and close quarters. It is also a shame to miss the shock and awe of a B Troop charge on Brown Parade Field… but, if you'd like I can ask the band to take the stage with broomsticks and charge the auditorium floor, while Captain Whitehill plays the coconut for appropriate sound effects," Wright joked with the audience regarding the last minute change of location.
"These Soldiers represent a total of 227 years of service. They deployed a total of 33 times in the face of our nation's enemies. Think how much experience, wisdom and accumulated knowledge sits today in the front row. But service is not attained without sacrifice. Think about what these Families have endured over the span of that 227 years: How many holidays, anniversaries, birthdays and special occasions were spent apart from loved ones? How many PCS moves, new schools and uncomfortable transitions? How many friends lost in the fight?" said Wright. He then acknowledged each of the retirees, one by one, for their service and wished them well.
Wright observed that while he talked to the retirees, he "was struck by the similarities in my conversations with these men. When I asked each what they would miss the most about the Army, almost every single one mentioned comradery. That fellowship that is created only through deep sense of shared purpose that is forged through adversity. All of them were humble, not wanting to dwell on their personal accomplishments, but rather focus on the importance of tight-knit teams and Families. And all of them were thankful for the opportunity to coach, teach and mentor the next generation of Soldiers -- they understood their role in influencing and shaping the future of our Army.
"You are all beginning new chapters of your lives. You may be hanging up your uniforms, but you cannot escape your time in service. I suspect most of you don't even realize how deeply ingrained the Army values and lifestyle are imprinted in your DNA. And that will serve you well whichever direction you go. You are Soldiers for Life."
In addition to the awards for military service, each retiring Solider received a certificate of appreciation signed by the president of the United States, a certificate of retirement and a retirement flag.
This quarter's retirees include:
Col. Allen D. Shreffler has 32 years of service to the U.S. Army. He is presently assigned as the Army Chief of Staff G2, director of intelligence for Network Enterprise Technology Command (NETCOM), Fort Huachuca, Arizona. For his service, Shreffler received the Meritorious Service Medal.
Chief Warrant Officer 4 Martin A. Schwerzler has 25 years of service to the U.S. Army. He is presently assigned as the geospatial intelligence and specialized electronic mission aircraft discipline technical advisor for Training, Development and Support, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence (USAICoE), Fort Huachuca, Arizona. For his service, Schwerzler received the Meritorious Service Medal.
Capt. Mark L. Lazarcheff has 20 years of service to the U.S. Army. He is presently assigned as a future strategic operations intelligence officer for the G2, U.S. Army's Network Technology Command, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence (USAICoE), Fort Huachuca, Arizona. For his service, Lazarcheff received the Meritorious Service Medal.
Master Sgt. Earl Jack Bennett III has 21 years of service to the U.S. Army. He is presently assigned as the 304th Military Intelligence Battalion S3 noncommissioned officer in charge, Fort Huachuca, Arizona. For his service, Bennett received the Meritorious Service Medal.
Master Sgt. Robert D. Jorgensen has 20 years of service to the U.S. Army. He is currently assigned as the sergeant major for the U.S. Army Regional Cyber Center -- CONUS, 7th Signal Command Theater, Fort Huachuca, Arizona. For his service, Jorgensen received the Meritorious Service Medal.
1st Sgt. Phillip T. Whatley has 22 years of service to the U.S. Army. He is presently assigned as the 35M/35Y senior career management noncommissioned officer in the Office of the Chief, Military Intelligence, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence (USAICoE), Fort Huachuca, Arizona. For his service, Whatley received the Meritorious Service Medal.
Sgt. 1st Class Jose A. Nuno has 21 years of service to the U.S. Army. He is presently assigned as a training developer for Training Development and Integration Division, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence (USAICoE), Fort Huachuca, Arizona. For his service, Johnson received the Meritorious Service Medal.
Sgt. 1st Class Peter A. Ross has 26 years of service to the U.S. Army. He is presently assigned as a training developer for Training Development and Integration Division, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence (USAICoE), Fort Huachuca, Arizona. For his service, Ross received the Meritorious Service Medal.
Sgt. 1st Class Shaun L. Ricks has over 20 years of service to the U.S. Army. He is presently assigned as an instructor for the Human Intelligence Collector Course, Bravo Company, 309th Military Intelligence Battalion, U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence (USAICoE), Fort Huachuca, Arizona. For his service, Ricks received the Meritorious Service Medal.
Sgt. Clinton M. Voss has over 20 years of service to the U.S. Army. He is presently assigned as the driver for the Network Enterprise Technology Command commanding general, Fort Huachuca, Arizona. For his service, Voss received the Meritorious Service Medal.
Spouses of each retiree received a certificate of appreciation and flowers or other tokens of a gratitude for their support.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, in time honored tradition, the audience sang Old Soldiers Never Die, Auld Lang Syne and the Army Song, accompanied by the Military Intelligence Corps Band.
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