FORT RUCKER, Ala. -- Fort Rucker honored eight new retirees during the quarterly retirement ceremony at the U.S. Army Aviation Museum Oct. 29.
Family, friends and post officials gathered to wish well the retirees with a combined 217 years military and civilian service and to thank them for their time in service to the nation.
Col. Russ Stinger, 110th Aviation Brigade commander, thanked the new retirees for their service and dedication.
"The people standing before you have served our Soldiers, trained our sons and daughters and fought our nation's wars," he said. "Whether personally deployed or turning young Soldiers into warriors or preparing Families for the unique careers before them, these great Americans have contributed every step of the way."
Stinger added that the ceremony was only a small way for the Branch to show how much it appreciates the retirees and all they have done for Soldiers, Families and the U.S. He also thanked the retirees' Families for their support and sacrifices over the years.
"While we can never fully articulate the thanks these people deserve, ceremonies like these allow us to pause and recognize and applaud these people for all they've done," he said. "Their service is exceptional. After today, their Families can truly become their top priority. They can start to repay the long nights and long deployments as they worked around the clock at home and while deployed."
Col. (P) Timothy Edens, U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence and Fort Rucker deputy commanding general, said it was vital for the post to honor retirees in the same way it honors its still-active Soldiers.
"Our retirees, just like our Soldiers, are important to our nation," he said. "What better way than to pay honor to those who have given us such a legacy."
The ceremony was part of Retiree Appreciation Day on post, which included various other events such as the annual Retiree Health Fair at The Landing.
This quarter's retirees:
* Lt. Col. Paula S. Alberto, Air Traffic Service Command executive officer;
* Robert C. Anderson, 1st Battalion, 14th Aviation Brigade, battalion standards officer;
* Linda M. Basham, International Military Student Office field studies coordinator;
* Col. Mark T. Jones, Warrant Officer Career College commandant;
* CW3 Tirso McCoy, WOCC knowledge management officer;
* CW5 Pat Shores, Aviation Branch Tactical Operations officer;
* Col. Stephen C. Smith, Army Aviation Evaluation and Standardization director; and
* Sgt. 1st Class Robert E. Walter, ATSCOM Quality Assurance Noncommissioned officer.
For more information about retirement services, call 255-9124.
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