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)
