ESCORT:

Escorts spouse to his/her chair.

NARRATOR:

"GOOD (MORNING/AFTERNOON) LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, AND WELCOME TO THE RETIREMENT CEREMONY IN HONOR OF (RETIREE'S RANK AND FULL NAME)." "TODAY, THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE (UNIT) PAY SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO (RETIREE'S RANK AND FULL NAME) UPON (HIS/HER) RETIREMENT FROM ACTIVE DUTY AND THE (BRANCH OF SERVICE) AFTER (NUMBER) YEARS, (NUMBER) MONTHS, AND (NUMBER) DAYS OF ACTIVE SERVICE."

NARRATOR:

"THE PRESIDING OFFICER (PO) FOR TODAY'S CEREMONY IS (RANK AND FULL NAME), (DUTY TITLE), (UNIT)."

"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN WOULD YOU PLEASE RISE FOR THE ARRIVAL OF THE HONOR PARTY AND REMAIN STANDING FOR THE NATIONAL ANTHEM."

PO:

PO gives facing movement(quietly) and both face the flag.

COMM SUPPORT:

National anthem is played or sang.

PO:

Following National Anthem PO gives facing movement (quietly) and both face the audience.

NARRATOR:

"(PO'S RANK AND LAST NAME) WILL NOW PRESENT (RETIREE'S RANK AND LAST NAME) WITH THE (MERITORIOUS SERVICE MEDAL / AIR FORCE COMMENDATION MEDAL / AIR FORCE ACHIEVEMENT MEDAL)."

"THE MERITORIOUS SERVICE MEDAL WAS ESTABLISHED BY EXECUTIVE ORDER 11448 ON JAN. 16, 1969. IT MAY BE AWARDED TO ANY MEMBER OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE UNITED STATES WHO DISTINGUISHES THEMSELVES BY EITHER OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT OR MERITORIOUS SERVICE TO THE UNITED STATES. THIS AWARD WAS ESTABLISHED AS THE COUNTERPART OF THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL FOR THE RECOGNITION OF MERITORIOUS NON-COMBAT SERVICE."

"THE AIR FORCE COMMENDATION MEDAL WAS AUTHORIZED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE ON MARCH 28, 1958, FOR AWARD TO MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE UNITED STATES WHO, WHILE SERVING IN ANY CAPACITY WITH THE AIR FORCE AFTER MARCH 24, 1958, SHALL HAVE DISTINGUISHED THEMSELVES BY MERITORIOUS ACHIEVEMENT AND SERVICE. THE DEGREE OF MERIT MUST BE DISTINCTIVE, THOUGH IT NEED NOT BE UNIQUE."

"THE AIR FORCE ACHIEVEMENT MEDAL WAS AUTHORIZED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE ON OCT. 20, 1980. IT IS AWARDED TO AIR FORCE PERSONNEL FOR OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT OR MERITORIOUS SERVICE RENDERED SPECIFICALLY ON BEHALF OF THE AIR FORCE."

"WE ASK THAT EVERYONE PLEASE REMAIN STANDING FOR THE READING OF THE CITATION AND PRESENTATION."

NARRATOR:

Reads citation.

PO:

Gives "CENTER FACE" (quietly) and both face each other as last line is read.

ASSISTANT:

Comes forward after PO and retiree facing movement and assumes a position to the left of the PO and even with his/her left shoulder.

PO:

Attaches decoration to retiree at the end of the citation reading.

RETIREE:

Shakes PO hand and salutes.

ASSISTANT:

Passes the decoration folder to the PO after the medal is pinned on.

PO:

Hands decoration folder to retiree.

RETIREE:

Takes folder, shakes hands with PO, gives folder to escort.

ESCORT:

Takes the folder, does "right/left face" and departs.

PO:

Gives "RIGHT FACE" (quietly) so that both are facing the audience.

NARRATOR:

"BY ORDER OF THE SECRETARY OF THE (BRANCH OF SERVICE), SPECIAL ORDER (NUMBER), EFFECTIVE (DATE), (RETIREE'S RANK AND FULL NAME) IS RELIEVED FROM ACTIVE DUTY, (UNIT), (INSTALLATION). (HE/SHE) IS RETIRED EFFECTIVE (DATE) AND IS HEREBY DIRECTED TO PROCEED TO (HIS/HER) HOME OF SELECTION."

"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN PLEASE BE SEATED."

"IN HONOR OF (HIS/HER) RETIREMENT, WE HAVE A SPECIAL CERTIFICATE TO PRESENT FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES."

"CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION FOR SERVICE IN THE ARMED FORCES OF THE UNITED STATES. (RETIREE'S RANK AND FULL NAME) I EXTEND TO YOU MY PERSONAL THANKS AND THE SINCERE APPRECIATION OF OUR NATION FOR YOUR HONORABLE SERVICE. YOU HELPED TO MAINTAIN THE SECURITY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WITH A DEVOTION TO DUTY THAT IS IN KEEPING WITH THE PROUD TRADITION OF OUR ARMED FORCES. I HONOR YOUR SERVICE AND RESPECT THE COMMITMENT AND LOYALTY YOU DISPLAYED OVER THE YEARS. MY BEST WISHES TO YOU FOR HAPPINESS AND SUCCESS IN THE FUTURE."

"SIGNED: BILL CLINTON, COMMANDER IN CHIEF"

ASSISTANT:

Comes forward with the retiree's Certificate of Appreciation from the President of the United States and passes it to the PO.

PO:

Presents the certificate to the retiree.

RETIREE:

Takes certificate, shakes hands with PO, gives certificate to assistant.

ASSISTANT:

Takes certificate, does "right/left face" and departs.

NARRATOR:

"EVERY PERSON RETIRING FROM ACTIVE DUTY IS PRESENTED WITH A SPECIAL CERTIFICATE OF RETIREMENT TO COMMEMORATE THEIR ACTIVE DUTY CAREER. IT READS AS FOLLOWS."

"CERTIFICATE OF RETIREMENT FROM THE ARMED FORCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TO ALL WHO SHALL SEE THESE PRESENTS, GREETING: THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT (RETIREE'S RANK AND FULL NAME) HAVING SERVED FAITHFULLY AND HONORABLY WAS RETIRED FROM THE (BRANCH OF SERVICE) ON THE FIRST DAY OF (MONTH) ONE THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED AND (YEAR)."

"SIGNED: (WING, BASE OR INSTALLATION COMMANDER'S RANK AND FULL NAME). (WING, BASE OR INSTALLATION)"

"SIGNED: (CHIEF OF STAFF'S RANK AND FUL NAME), (CHIEF OF STAFF)"

ASSISTANT:

Comes forward with the retiree's Certificate of Retirement and passes it to the PO

PO:

Presents the certificate to the retiree.

RETIREE:

Takes certificate, shakes hands with PO, gives certificate to assistant.

ASSISTANT:

Takes certificate, does "right/left face" and departs.

NARRATOR:

"THE UNIT COMMANDER HAS PREPARED A LETTER OF APPRECIATION FOR (RETIREE'S RANK AND LAST NAME) WHICH READS AS FOLLOWS."

"LETTER OF APPRECIATION TO (RETIREE'S RANK AND FULL NAME). IT HAS BEEN OUR PLEASURE TO SERVE WITH YOU AT (INSTALLATION AND UNIT) FROM (ARRIVAL DATE) TO (DEPARTURE DATE). YOUR DEDICATION AND PERFORMANCE OF DUTY THROUGHOUT YOUR TOUR HERE AND YOUR CAREER HAVE BEEN MOST COMMENDABLE."

"AS YOU PREPARE FOR RETIREMENT FROM ACTIVE DUTY, IT IS WITH SINCERE APPRECIATION THAT I CONGRATULATE YOU FOR HONORABLE AND FAITHFUL SERVICE. HAVING SERVED WITH DISTINCTION IN THE WORLD'S FINEST MILITARY, YOU HAVE EARNED THE RIGHT TO SAY; "I SERVED MY COUNTRY WITH PRIDE." I AM CONFIDENT THAT THE EXCELLENT TRAITS YOU DISPLAYED HERE WILL ENSURE YOUR CONTINUED SUCCESS IN CIVILIAN LIFE. YOUR MANY FRIENDS AND I WISH YOU CONTINUED SUCCESS IN ALL YOUR FUTURE ENDEAVORS."

"SIGNED: (UNIT COMMANDER'S RANK AND FULL NAME), COMMANDER, (UNIT)"

ASSISTANT:

Comes forward with the retiree's Letter of Appreciation and passes it to the PO.

PO:

Presents the letter to the retiree.

RETIREE:

Takes letter, shakes hands with PO, gives letter to assistant.

ASSISTANT:

Takes letter, does "right/left face" and departs.

NARRATOR:

"TODAY’S CEREMONY WOULD CERTAINLY BE REMISE IF IT DIDN’T RECOGNIZE AND PAY TRIBUTE TO THE SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS AND SACRIFICES MADE BY MILITARY SPOUSES. SO AT THIS TIME….ESCORT, WOULD YOU PLEASE BRING (MRS./MR. SPOUSE'S LAST NAME) FORWARD TO STAND WITH (HER/HIS) (HUSBAND/WIFE).">>

Retiree steps to his/her left so spouse can step between him/her and PO.

ESCORT:

Takes spouse by arm and escorts her/him to a position between her/his husband/wife and the PO.

ESCORT:

Does "right/left face" and departs

NARRATOR:

"(MR./MRS. SPOUSE'S LAST NAME) ALSO RECEIVES A SPECIAL CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION WHICH READS AS FOLLOWS."

"CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION FROM THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE. IN GRATEFUL APPRECIATION, THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE PRESENTS THIS CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION TO ______________________FOR THE COMMITMENT AND NUMEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS THAT MADE POSITIVE IMPACTS TO THE NATION'S DEFENSE. THANK YOU FOR THE SUPPORT WHICH GAVE STRENGTH AND PURPOSE TO YOUR SPOUSE'S SERVICE. GIVEN THIS FIRST DAY OF ______________, ONE THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED, AND ______________."

"SIGNED: (WING, BASE OR INSTALLATION COMMANDER'S RANK AND FULL NAME), COMMANDER, (WING, BASE OR INSTALLATION)"

"SIGNED: (RANK AND FULL NAME OF CHIEF OF STAFF), CHIEF OF STAFF"

ASSISTANT:

Comes forward with the spouse's Certificate of Retirement and passes it to the PO.

PO:

Presents the certificate to the spouse.

SPOUSE:

Takes certificate, shakes hands with PO, gives certificate to assistant.

ASSISTANT:

Takes certificate, does "right/left face" and departs.

NARRATOR:

"THE COMMANDER HAS LETTER OF APPRECIATION FOR PRESENTATION TO (MRS./MR SPOUSE'S LAST NAME)."

"ON BEHALF OF THE (BRANCH OF SERVICE), I WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND TO YOU MY APPRECIATION FOR THE SUPPORT AND PERSEVERANCE YOU HAVE EXHIBITED OVER THESE PAST YEARS. IN ESSENCE THE (BRANCH OF SERVICE) IS LOSING TWO CAREER MEMBERS TODAY. OURS IS A DEMANDING PROFESSION AND ONE WHICH OFTEN IMPACTS HEAVIEST ON THE FAMILIES OF ITS MEMBERS. THE LONG HOURS AND FREQUENT SEPARATIONS EXACT THEIR TOLL ON FAMILY COHESIVENESS AND ON INDIVIDUAL RELATIONSHIPS, AND I AM SURE THE FREQUENT PCS MOVES HAVE OFTEN FRUSTRATED YOUR ATTEMPTS TO PURSUE YOUR OWN CAREER PLANS. IT TAKES A PERSON OF STRONG CHARACTER AND ACCOMPANYING LOYALTY TO WEATHER THE HARD TIMES AND MAKE THE DIFFICULT SACRIFICES THAT ARE OFTEN NECESSARY. FORTUNATELY FOR (RETIREE'S RANK AND LAST NAME), AND FOR US, YOU HAVE BEEN THAT KIND OF PERSON. YOU CAN TAKE GREAT PRIDE IN THE ROLE YOU HAVE PLAYED IN KEEPING OUR NATION STRONG AND FREE."

"I HOPE THE GOOD TIMES AND POSITIVE EXPERIENCES YOU HAVE ENJOYED IN THE (BRANCH OF SERVICE) CONTINUE TO ENRICH YOUR LIVES AND THE MANY GOOD FRIENDS YOU HAVE MADE WILL CONTINUE TO SUSTAIN YOU IN THE YEARS TO COME. WE WILL MISS HAVING YOU IN OUR "IMMEDIATE" FAMILY, BUT YOU WILL ALWAYS BE A PART OF OUR "EXTENDED" FAMILY. WE WISH YOU THE BEST AS YOU TWO BEGIN A NEW CHAPTER OF YOUR LIVES TOGETHER."

"SIGNED: (UNIT COMMANDER'S RANK AND FULL NAME, COMMANDER, (UNIT)"

ASSISTANT:

Moves forward with the spouse's Letter of Appreciation and passes it to the PO.

PO:

Presents letter to spouse.

SPOUSE:

Takes letter, shakes hands with PO, gives letter to assistant.

ASSISTANT:

Takes letter, does "right/left face" and departs.

NARRATOR:

"EVERY RETIREE RECEIVES A SPECIAL RETIREMENT PIN AS A MEMENTO OF THEIR ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE. AT THIS TIME, I’D LIKE TO ASK (MR./MRS. SPOUSE'S LAST NAME) TO PLACE THIS PIN ON (HIS/HER) (HUSBAND'S/WIFE'S) LAPEL TO SYMBOLIZE (HIS/HER) TRANSITION FROM ACTIVE DUTY TO RETIRED STATUS."

ASSISTANT:

Comes forward with retirement pin and hands to spouse, does "left/right face" and departs.

NARRATOR:

"LAST, BUT NOT LEAST, WE WILL PRESENT TWO ROSES ARE BEING PRESENTED TO (MRS./MR. SPOUSE'S LAST NAME), ONE ROSE IS A FRESH ROSE THAT WILL WILT IN TIME. BUT THE SECOND IS A SILK ROSE THAT WILL NOT FADE. WE HOPE THAT THE LASTING SILK ROSE WILL ALWAYS AWAKEN HAPPY MEMORIES AND REMAIN A TOKEN OF OUR APPRECIATION OF YOUR OWN SACRIFICES AS A MILITARY SPOUSE."

ASSISTANT:

Comes forward with spouse's flowers/gift and presents them/it.

SPOUSE:

Takes flowers/gift from assistant.

NARRATOR:

"ESCORT, PLEASE RETURN (MRS./MR.SPOUSE'S LAST NAME) TO (HER/HIS) SEAT."

ESCORT:

Comes forward, takes spouse by the arm and escorts her/him to her/his chair.

PO:

Takes chair on the platform/stage.

NARRATOR:

"AT THIS TIME I WOULD LIKE TO ASK (RANK AND NAME OF PERSON MAKING PRESENTATION) TO COME FORWARD AND MAKE A SPECIAL PRESENTATION."

PRESENTER:

Makes prsentation, then departs.

NARRATOR:

"THANK YOU (MEMBER'S RANK AND LAST NAME)."

RETIREE:

Takes chair on the platform/stage.

NARRATOR:

"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THE PRESIDING OFFICER FOR TODAY'S CEREMONY (PO'S RANK AND FULL NAME), (DUTY TITLE), (UNIT)."

PO:

Says a few words about the retiree and family.

NARRATOR:

"THANK YOU (PO'S RANK AND LAST NAME)."

PO:

Takes his/her set on the stage/platform.

NARRATOR:

"NOW IT'S TIME TO HEAR FROM TODAY'S HONOREE."

RETIREE:

Says a few words about his/her career and family.

NARRATOR:

"THANK YOU (RETIREE'S RANK AND LAST NAME)."

PO:

Stands and joins retiree on stage/platform.

NARRATOR:

"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN THIS CONCLUDES OUR CEREMONY. ON BEHALF OF (RETIREE'S RANK AND LAST NAME) AND (HIS/HER) FAMILY, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK EACH OF YOU FOR ATTENDING TODAY. WE ASK THAT YOU JOIN US AND THEM FOR (RECEPTION, PARTY, BASH, WHATEVER) AT (LOCATION) TO BEGIN AT (TIME)."