CEREMONY SCRIPT
CDR “GOOD AFTERNOON LADIES AND GENTLEMEN AND HONORED
GUESTS, I’M CDR SHAWN MC, NARRATOR FOR TODAY’S
CEREMONY AND I WOULD LIKE TO PERSONALLY WELCOME AND
THANK ALL THOSE IN ATTENDANCE TODAY HONORING THE CAREER
AND SERVICE OF MASTER SERGEANT.”
(PAUSE…CUE FOR THE OFFICIAL PARTY)
“WILL THE GUESTS PLEASE RISE.”
MAJ HILLMEYER “AT THIS TIME I WOULD LIKE TO ANNOUNCE THE ARRIVAL OF
THE OFFICIAL PARTY, <NAME>, CHIEF, STRATEGIC SYSTEMS DIVISION WILL OFFICIATE TODAY’S CEREMONY.”
(OFFICIAL PARTY ARRIVES)
CDR "WILL THE GUESTS PLEASE REMAIN STANDING FOR THE
POSTING OF THE COLORS, OUR NATIONAL ANTHEM AND THE
INVOCATION.”
HONOR GUARD (POSTING OF THE COLORS)
“LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, <MC>
MC (SINGING OF THE NATIONAL ANTHEM)
CHAPLAIN (DELIVER INVOCATION)
CDR "WILL THE GUESTS PLEASE BE SEATED"
(GUESTS SEATED)
CDR "WE ARE HERE TODAY TO HONOR MASTER SERGEANT .
AS HE RETIRES FROM THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE FOLLOWING 20 YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE.
CDR “TODAY WE SAY FAREWELL TO MSGT WISHING HIS WIFE CATHY AND HIM SUCCESS IN THE FUTURE.”
(CUE TO <OFFICIAL PARTY> AND MSGT <LNAME>)
CDR MC "MSGT <LNAME>, FRONT AND CENTER."
(<OFFICIAL PARTY> AND MSGT <LNAME>AT THE PODIUM)
<OFFICIAL PARTY> (REMARKS)
PROFFER PRESENT MSM TO <OFFICIAL PARTY> ON LAST LINE OF THE CITIATION
CDR MC “ATTENTION TO ORDER, WILL CIVILIAN GUESTS PLEASE RISE.”
(READ CITATION AS <OFFICIAL PARTY> PINS MEDAL)
THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AUTHORIZED BY EXCUTIVE ORDER, 16 JANUARY 1969 HAS AWARDED THE MEITORIOUS SERVICE MEDAL TO MASTER SERGEANT <FNAME> T. <LNAME>JR. FOR MERITORIOUS SERVICE 2 MARCH 2001 TO 31 AUGUST 2004. MASTER SERGEANT <FNAME> T. <LNAME>JR., DISTINGUISHED HIMSELF IN THE PERFORMANCE OF OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO THE UNITED STATES AS NONCOMMISSIONED OFFER IN CHARGE, FUTURE REQUIREMENTS OFFICE, 1ST AIRBORNE COMMAND CONTROL SQUADRON, 55TH OPERATIONS GROUP, 55TH WING, OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, NEBRASKA. DURING THE PERIOD, HIS LEADERSHIP AND PROFESSIONALISM RESULTED IN SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE E-4B NATIONAL AIRBORNE OPERATIONS CENTER. SERGEANT <LNAME>WAS A KEY PLAYER IN THE PLANNING AND EXECUTION OF A 400-MILLION-DOLLAR, 6 YEAR COMMUNICAITONS UPGRADE, THE LARGEST IN OVER 20 YEARS. HIS OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP WAS INSTRUMENTAL DURING THE ACCEPTANCE TESTING OF A NEW SINGLE INTEGRATION LAB, PROVING THE INTEROPERABILITY OF THE COMMUNICATIONS MODIFICATION. HE WAS A PIVOTAL MEMBER OF THE TEAM FOR OVER NINE FIELD LEVEL MODIFICAITONS TO THE E-4B, MAXIMIZING COMMUNICATIONS CABABILITY WHILE JUGGLING SCHEDULES TO MEET ALL TIMELINES. SERGEANT <LNAME>FOCUSED TESTING AND FIELDING OF A NEW MILSTAR CONFERENCING SYSTEM, EASING OPERATOR WORKLOAD AND QUADRUPLING ACCESS TO SURVIVABLE COMMAND AND CONTROL NETWORKS. SERGEANT <LNAME>WAS HAND-PICKED AS THE SUPERINTENDENT FOR AN EIGHT-PERSON COMMUNICATIONS TEAM ON THE FIRST SECRETARY OF DEFENSE MISSION IN THREE YEARS. HIS TEAM’S EFFORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS SUPPORT WERE LAUDED BY THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE AND CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT CHIEFS. AS SUPERINTENDENT OF A 30-MAN COMMUNICATIONS TEAM, SERGEANT <LNAME>PROVIDED ROCK-SOLID SUPPORT OF MULTIPLE PRESIDENTIAL SUPPORT MISSIONS. THE SINGULARLY DISTINCTIVE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF SERGEANT <LNAME>RELFECT GREAT CREDIT UPON HIMSILF AND THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE. SIGNED <NAME>, BRIGADIER GENERAL, USAF, COMMANDER, 55TH WING.
<OFFICIAL PARTY> PRESENT AWARD CERTIFICATE, PAUSE FOR PHOTOS, THEN RETURN CERTIFICATE TO PROFFER
PROFFER PRESENT MEDAL TO <OFFICIAL PARTY> ON LAST LINE OF CITATION
CDR MC “PLEASE REMAIN STANDING.”
CITATION TO ACCOMPANY THE AWARD OF THE DEFENSE
MERITORIOUS SERVICE MEDAL TO MSGT <FNAME> T. <LNAME>JR. MASTER SERGEANT <FNAME> T. <LNAME>JR., UNITED STATES AIR FORCE, DISTINGUISHED HIMSELF BY EXCEPTIONALLY MERITORIOUS SERVICE AS AIRBORNE COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER, COMMAND, CONTROL, COMMUNICATIONS AND COMPUTER SYSTEMS DIRECTORATE, UNITED STATES STRATEGIC COMMAND, OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, NEBRASKA FROM SEPTEMBER 2004 TO SEPTEMBER 2005. HE DEMONSTRATED SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE BY REINVIGORATING A VERY LOW FREQUECNY WORKING GROUP FOR THE STRATEGIC COMMUNITY PROVIDING A FORUM TO DISCUSS SYSTEM EFFICIENCIES AND FIX DISCREPANCIES IDENTIFIED DURING MAJOR EXERCISES. SERGEANT <LNAME>IDENTIFIED AN OPERATIONAL SHORTFALL AND FOLLOWED THROUGH WITH A POSITIVE FIX FOR THE KG-33MI CRYPTOLOGICAL DEGRADATION. AS THE UNITED STATES STRATEGIC COMMAND REPRESENTATIVE TO THE NORTHSTAR GROUND ENTRY POINT WORKING GROUP, HE LED THE EFFORTS TO DIVERSIFY NETWORKS USED BY AIR FORE ONE, NATIONAL AIRBORNE OPERATIONS CENTER AND THE AIRBORNE COMMAND POST, ASSURING COMMAND AND CONTROL OF THE STRATEGIC FORCES BY THE COMMANDER AND THE PRESIDENT. THROUGH HIS DISTINGUISHED ACCOMPLISHEMENTS, SERGEANT <LNAME>CULMINATED A DISTINGUISHED CAREER IN THE SERVICE OF HIS COUNTRY AND REFLECTED GREAT CREDIT UPON HIMSELF, THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE, AND THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE.
<OFFICIAL PARTY> PRESENT AWARD, CERTIFICATE, PAUSE FOR PHOTOS, THEN RETURN CERTIFICATE TO PROFFER
PROFFER HAND <OFFICIAL PARTY> CERTIFICATE OF RETIREMENT
CDR MC “GUESTS PLEASE BE SEATED.”
“TO FURTHER RECOGNIZE MSGT <LNAME>’S CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE AIR FORCE AND OUR COUNTRY, <OFFICIAL PARTY> WILL NOW PRESENT MSGT <LNAME>WITH A CERTIFICATE OF RETIREMENT FROM ALL THE ARMED FORCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA...TO ALL WHO SHALL SEE THESE PRESENTS, GREETINGS: THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT MASTER SERGEANT <FNAME> T. <LNAME>JR. HAVING SERVED FAITHFULLY AND HONORABLY WAS RETIRED FROM THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE ON THE 1ST DAY OF OCTOBER TWO THOUSAND FIVE
...SIGNED BRIGIDIER GENERAL V2 JR., DIRECTOR, COMBAT AND INFORMATION, <COMMAND>.
<OFFICIAL PARTY> (PRESENT CERTIFICATE OF RETIREMENT, PHOTO OP, RETURN TO
PROFFER)
PROFFER HAND <OFFICIAL PARTY> PRESIDENTIAL CERTIFICATE
CDR MC “ <OFFICIAL PARTY> WILL NOW PRESENT MASTER SERGEANT <LNAME>WITH A PRESIDENTIAL CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION FOR SERVICE IN THE ARMED FORCES OF THE UNITED STATES. MASTER SERGEANT <FNAME> <LNAME>, I EXTEND TO YOU MY PERSONAL THANKS AND THE SINCERE APPRECIATION OF A GRATEFUL NATION FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTION OF HONORABLE SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY. YOU HAVE HELPED MAINTAIN THE SECURITY OF THE NATION DURING A CRITICAL TIME IN ITS HISTORY WITH A DEVOTION TO DUTY AND A SPIRIT OF SACRIFICE IN KEEPING WITH THE PROUD TRADITIONS OF MILITARY SERVICE. YOUR COMMITMENT AND DEDICATION HAVE BEEN AN INSPIRATION FOR THOSE WHO WILL FOLLOW IN YOUR FOOTSTEPS, AND FOR ALL AMERICANS WHO JOIN ME TODAY IN SALUTING YOU, FOR A JOB EXTREMELY WELL DONE. MY BEST WISHES TO YOU FOR HAPPINESS AND SUCCESS IN THE FUTURE. SIGNED GEORGE W. BUSH, COMMANDER IN CHIEF.
<OFFICIAL PARTY> (PRESENT PRESIDENTIAL CERTIFICATE, PHOTO OP, RETURN CERTIFICATE TO PROFFER)
PROFFER HAND <OFFICIAL PARTY> THE GENERAL V2 LETTER OF APPRECIATION
CDR MC MASTER SERGEANT <LNAME> ALSO RECEIVED A LETTER OF APPRECIATION FROM BRIGIDIER GENERAL FREDERICK D. VAN VALKENBURG JR., DIRECTOR, COMBAT AND INFORMATION, UNITED STATES STRATEGIC COMMAND.
<OFFICIAL PARTY> (PRESENT LETTER OF APPRECIATION, PHOTO OP, RETURN CERTIFICATE TO PROFFER)
CDR MC “CATHY, PLEASE JOIN <FNAME> AT THE PODIUM.”
MSgt <LNAME> (ESCORT MRS. <LNAME>TO THE PODIUM)
(MRS. <LNAME>IN PLACE)
PROFFER HAND <OFFICIAL PARTY> WITH SPOUSE CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION
CDR MC “<OFFICIAL PARTY> WILL NOW PRESENT MRS. <LNAME>WITH A SPOUSE
CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION. DEAR MRS. <LNAME>, ON THE
OCCASION OF YOUR HUSBAND’S RETIREMENT, I WISH TO PERSONALLY THANK YOU FOR YOUR DEDICATION AND SUPPORT OVER THE YEARS. ALL TOO FREQUENTLY, THE HARDSHIPS ENDURED BY THE SPOUSE AND FAMILY MEMBERS ARE NOT FORMALLY RECOGNIZED. YES, WITHOUT YOUR PERSONAL SACRIFICE, YOUR HUSBAND’S CONTRIBUTIONS WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE. YOUR SUPPORT AND COMMITMENT THROUGH THE YEARS WERE INSTURMENTAL AS YOU WITHSTOOD NUMEROUS SEPARATIONS AND DIFFICULTIES. WHILE <FNAME> CREATED A COMMUNICATION INFRASTRUCTURE SUPPORTING THE NATIONAL MISSION, YOU SUSTAINED STRONG FAMILY MORALS AND BUILT THE FOUNDATION FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS TO CONTINUE OUR NATIONS’S FREEDOM. BEING THE SPOUSE OF A UNTIED STATES AIR FORCE MEMBER IS NOT EASY, AND I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT YOUR EFFORTS WERE NOTICED AND APPRECIATED. ON BEHALF OF THE U.S. STRATEGIC COMMAND, THE U.S. AIR FORCE AND THE NATION, I WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS MY PERSONAL APPREICATION AND THANKS FOR A JOB WELL DONE. SUE AND I WISH YOU CONTINUED SUCCESS AND MUCH HAPPINESS IN THE COMING YEARS. SINCERELY, FREDERICK D. VAN VALKENBURG, JR, BRIGIDIER GENERAL, UNITED STATES AIR FORCE, DIRECTOR, COMBAT AND INFORMATION OPERATIONS.”
<OFFICIAL PARTY> (PRESENT CATHY CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION, PHOTO OP, RETURN CERTIFICATE)
MSGT <LNAME> (ESCORT MRS. <LNAME>BACK TO HER SEAT)
CDR MC “<OFFICIAL PARTY> WILL NOW PRESENT MASTER SERGEANT <LNAME> WITH A SHADOW BOX ON BEHALF OF THE STRATEGIC SYSTEMS
DIVISION.”
<OFFICIAL PARTY> (PRESENT MSGT <LNAME>WITH SHADOW BOX)
(PAUSE UNTIL <OFFICIAL PARTY> SEATED)
CDR MC "LADIES AND GENTLEMAN, MASTER SERGEANT <FNAME> <LNAME>."
MSGT <LNAME> (REMARKS)
(UPON COMPLETION OF REMARKS)
HONOR GUARD PERFORM FLAG FOLDING CEREMONY
CDR MC “My Name is Old Glory
I am the flag of the United States of America.
My name is Old Glory.
I fly atop the world’s tallest buildings.
I stand watch in America’s halls of justice.
I fly majestically over great institutes of learning.
I stand guard with the greatest military power in the world.
Look up! And see me!
I stand for peace - honor - truth and justice.
I stand for freedom
I am confident - I am arrogant
I am proud.
When I am flown with my fellow banners
My head is a little higher
My colors a little truer.
I bow to no one.
I am recognized all over the world.
I am worshipped - I am saluted - I am respected
I am revered - I am loved, and I am feared.
I have fought every battle of every war for more than 200 years:
Gettysburg, Shilo, Appomatox, San Juan Hill, the trenches of France,
the Argonne Forest, Anzio, Rome, the beaches of Normandy,
the deserts of Africa, the cane fields of the Philippines, the rice paddies and jungles of Guam, Okinawa, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Guadalcanal
New Britain, Peleliu, and many more islands.
And a score of places long forgotten by all but those who were with me.
I was there.
I led my soldiers - I followed them. I watched over them. They loved me.
I was on a small hill in Iwo Jima. I was dirty, battle-worn and tired, but my soldiers cheered me, and I was proud.
I have been soiled, burned, torn and trampled on the streets of countries I have helped set free. It does not hurt, for I am invincible. I have been soiled, burned, torn and trampled on the streets of my country, and when it is by those with whom I have served in battle - it hurts. But I shall overcome - for I am strong.
I have slipped the bonds of Earth and stand watch over the uncharted new frontiers of space from my vantage point on the moon. I have been a silent witness to all of America’s finest hours. But my finest hour comes when I am torn into strips to be used for bandages for my wounded comrades on the field of battle, When I fly at half mast to honor my soldiers, And when I lie in the trembling arms of a grieving mother at the graveside of her fallen son.
I am proud.
My name is Old Glory.
Dear God - Long may I wave.”
CDR MC “WILL GUESTS PLEASE RISE.”
(MILITARY GUESTS AT ATTENTION)
<OFFICIAL PARTY> RETURN TO THE FRONT
MSGT HARTMAN RETURN TO THE FRONT
CDR MC "<OFFICIAL PARTY> WILL NOW RETIRE MASTER SERGEANT <LNAME>FROM
ACTIVE DUTY: “ATTENTION TO ORDERS! FROM DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE, WASHINGTON, D.C. TO MASTER SERGEANT <FNAME> T <LNAME>JR., OFFUTT AFB, NEBRASKA. SUBJECT, SPECIAL ORDERS NO. AC – 010483, DATED 20 JUNE 2005. EFFECTIVE 30 SEPTEMBER 2005, YOU ARE RELIEVED FROM ACTIVE DUTY, UNITED STATES STRATEGIC COMMAND, OFFUTT AFB NE, AND RETIRED EFFECTIVE 1 OCTOBER 2005 PER AIR FORCE INSTRUCTION 36-3203 IN THE GRADE OF MASTER SERGEANT. YOUR DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE AND YOUR COUNTRY IS DEEPLY APPRECIATED. MAY YOU ENJOY EVERY SUCCESS AND HAPPINESS IN THE FUTURE. BY ORDER OF THE SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE, SIGNED PHILIP M ODOM, COLONEL, UNITED STATES AIR FORCE, CHIEF, RETIREMENTS AND SEPARATIONS DIVISION.”
PROFFER HAND PIN TO <OFFICIAL PARTY>
<OFFICIAL PARTY> PIN LAPEL PIN TO <FNAME> (PHOTO OP)
PROFFER HAND RETIREMENT ORDERS TO <OFFICIAL PARTY>
<OFFICIAL PARTY> PRESENT COPY OF RETIREMENT ORDERS- PHOTO OPORTUNITY – RETURN ORDERS RO PROFFER
CDR MC LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, MASTER SERGEANT <FNAME> T. <LNAME>JR.
UNITED STATES AIR FORCE, RETIRED!
CDR MC “LADIES AND GENTLEMAN, THIS CONCLUDES OUR CEREMONY, YOU’RE INVITED
TO CONGRATULATE <FNAME> AND CATHY ON THE BEGINNING OF THEIR NEW ADVENTURE AT THE RECEPTION IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THEIR DEPARTURE.
CDR MC “WILL THE GUESTS PLEASE REMAIN STANDING AS THE OFFICAL PARTY DEPARTS.”
FRANK: PLAY AIR FORCE SONG
(END OF SCRIPT)
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