FORT DRUM, N.Y. -- Fifty-four years may seem like a lifetime to some, but to one Fort Drum civilian employee, it marks the end of a long and proud career.
Edwin Booth, known as "Ed" to his family, friends and co-workers, has spent the most of his life surrounded by military aircraft, both during his service in the Air Force and later as a Department of Defense civilian.
A crowd of military and civilian friends, along with Booth's wife and two of his three sons, gathered Friday at the Winner's Circle to wish him well and bid a fond farewell to a man who dedicated most of his life to serving the nation.
"I'm overwhelmed. It hasn't sunk in yet," Booth said. "So much time has gone by that I can't remember not going to work."
Booth retired from the Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security's Aviation Branch, where he worked in the flight operations office at Wheeler-Sack Army Airfield.
"I just love being around aviation … airplanes in particular," he said. "The sound of an airplane engine is the greatest music. … It's like a beautiful symphony."
After so many years, Booth looks back on his service proudly -- both the good and bad memories.
"Some things just stick with you," he said. "A lot of people look at the monuments and memorials and they really don't know what it stands for … (but) I'm proud as hell to have worn the uniform for as long as I did. There's no doubt about it.
"Would I do it all over again? In a heartbeat," Booth added. "My mind is willing, but my body is a bit beat up."
Remembering a long, satisfying career
Booth comes from a Family of veterans, so he said it was a natural decision to continue his Family's service.
"I had an uncle in Europe during World War I; my dad was there in World War II; I was there in the 1950s and 1960s," he said. "I'm proud to say that I've served under every president from Eisenhower to (Obama). I've seen a lot of changes over the years."
Booth retired from a 20-year career with the Air Force in 1975, and in 1978, he began his civilian service at Griffiss Air Force Base in Rome.
"In the Air Force, we were not involved in moving large amounts of equipment and troops like the Army; we were moving airplanes and fuel and things like that," said Don Campbell, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel and Booth's commander at Griffiss Air Force Base. "My staff didn't have a lot of experience in that, but Ed did."
At the time, Griffiss AFB was the aerial port for Fort Drum until the runway at Wheeler-Sack Army Airfield was constructed, Campbell explained.
"(Ed) was indispensable," he said. "He knew what to do and when to do it. He made the job a whole lot easier for us."
Booth's 20-year experience at Griffiss AFB made him even more valuable when it closed and Wheeler-Sack Army Airfield had the capability to receive its own troops and equipment, according to Joe White, DPTMS Aviation Branch chief.
"He immediately transitioned us into what we needed to be and showed us what to do, how to do it and where to do it," he said. "Our legacy right now on what we are and how we're respected and thought of by the rest of the services is largely because of his tutelage.
"His professionalism and proven dedication to duty was evident in every aspect of his career," White continued. "His love of military aviation has helped Fort Drum evolve into one of the premier power projection platforms in the United States Army. Ed was a great employee, a wonderful man; he was dedicated to his duty and taking care of Soldiers."
After the formal portion of the reception, Maj. Gen. Mark A. Milley, Fort Drum and 10th Mountain Division (LI) commander, and Col. Gary A. Rosenberg, Fort Drum garrison commander, came to wish the Booth Family well and to congratulate Ed Booth on a career of dedicated service.
Milley said he couldn't resist the opportunity to congratulate Booth.
"I at least wanted to give him a 10th Mountain Division coin -- even though he probably has a million of them; I personally wanted to give him a coin," he said. "On behalf of everyone at Fort Drum -- all 40,000 Soldiers, Family Members and civilians -- this is a tribute to your devotion to the nation and devotion to Soldiers. I wanted to personally say 'thank you' for your years of service."
Rosenberg said serving the military for 54 was a "phenomenal" accomplishment.
"That's a life of service that most people can only imagine," he said. "I don't know you well, but I would like to thank you sincerely from the bottom of my heart. I'm not sure I could continue to serve as long as you have with the level of dedication that you have."
After presenting Booth with the garrison coin, Rosenberg said he was told that it was fortunate that he could attend the reception.
"I'll tell you, we took things off (of our schedule) to come over here, because this is important," he added. "We would be remiss if we didn't come and thank you."
Giving thanks and looking to the future
Booth, who grew up in Ilion, which is a two-hour drive south of Fort Drum, will retire in his childhood home. For the past 14 years, Booth has made the two-hour commute at all hours of the day and night to Wheeler-Sack Army Airfield.
"If it wasn't for the drive, I probably would have stayed a little bit longer," Booth said.
Christina Booth said she's happy to have her husband home, especially because she worried about him driving to and from work.
"It's going to be strange; we're both going to have to get used to it," she said. "He's been on shift work for so many years. I have to get used to him being around."
The two met while Ed Booth was stationed in England in 1966.
"I got involved with a bunch of skydiving buffs -- I was the only American, or 'yank' as they called me," he said. "We ended up going to a small pub out in the country to get something to eat and drink. I noticed an individual in the kitchen cooking. I thought 'very nice.'"
Booth later returned to the pub alone for the chance to meet his future wife.
"We started dating, and she used to go with us skydiving before we were married. Every time we got on the ground, she'd give me hell because I'd always open up lower than everyone else," he said with a chuckle.
Ed and Christina Booth will celebrate their 45th anniversary in November.
During his military service, he spent a lot of time away from his wife and three sons, John, Demmey and Mark.
"I was working here, there and wherever. Thanks to her, the boys are what they are," Booth said.
"(My career has offered) a lot of enjoyment to me. I love being around aviation. I'll never give that up," he added. "I've enjoyed working with the folks here. It's been a pleasure."
Over the years, Booth has taken many trips back to England to visit old friends and attend military air shows.
"(My dad) loves it in England," John Booth said. "I think it's because that's where he met Mom, but he really got along with the folks over there, and they seem to really like him, too."
Ed and Christina Booth don't plan on making a trip back to England for a little while, to let him get adjusted to retired life.
"Plus, he's got too many things to do. I have a long list of things for him now that he'll be home," Christina Booth said, laughing.
John Booth, who followed in his father's Air Force footsteps, recently retired from the service after 24 years.
"I did the same job as my dad -- airfield operations," John Booth said. "He used to take all three of us (to work), and I always liked being around all the airplanes and the pilots as a kid. I always thought it was interesting, because it's not something you get to see every day.
"I just hope he's comfortable with the decision to retire," he continued. "It's a scary step when you get ready to retire. I'm glad to have him home, because we worried about him out on the road at all hours of the day and night."
Christina Booth agreed, adding that she thinks the hardest thing for her husband will be being away from aviation.
When people retire, they often wonder about the impact they made on others, John Booth explained. He said he was sure his father left a positive impression on those he has interacted with during the past 54 years.
"You can tell, he's happy to see all these folks (who came to the reception)," John Booth said. "He worries about other people more than he worries about himself. Service before self -- like the Air Force says.
"After a half a century working for your country, it's a well-deserved break for him. I'm just glad he's young enough to still enjoy life," he added.
Campbell said he was surprised to hear that his friend of more than 20 years was actually retiring.
"He's a character. He loved airplanes, and we (used to) always make time to talk about airplanes," he said. "(Ed) was 100-percent loyal. If Ed worked for you, he was all for you, not part time. He was all in or all out.
"He never really got out of the Air Force," Campbell added. "He has a Soldier's attitude. He didn't come to work to make a quick buck; he did it for the country and the troops."
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