Tom Retires from the Coast Guard Reserves

 So after 35 years in the Coast Guard, Tom finally retired and reduced his work (and stress) load considerably.  No more weekends away, no more jetting off for active duty emergencies and no fires to put out over the phone. He didn't even want to have a retirement ceremony but between me and his co-workers, we convinced him he needed to have something to commemorate his many years of service.

There were several nice tributes and then Tom gave a great talk about how he really went into the reserves with the intention of staying 2 years.  He was going to school for his Masters at the time and working 4 part time jobs so this seemed easier…plus he got life insurance.  At the time there was a coast guard unit in Salt Lake City. I know this is confusing but he had served for 4 years active duty Air Force….all before I met him.  When he got out of the air force he was stationed at Hill Air Force Base in Utah and for whatever reason decided to stay.  And for whatever reason….decided to go into theatre.  No, he'd never done anything like that before. We met at Weber State in the theatre dept. and the rest is history.  So, here's the confusing part….he had done the active duty, then joined the coast guard reserves, then in 1988 went to work for the Air Force as a civilian and has worked for them ever since.  When he was called to active duty during and after 9/11, that was as reservist for the coast guard.  But since he has always had to travel for both his military and civilian jobs, and in fact sometimes they crossed over….people were always confused about who he actually worked for.  So when we announced he was retiring from the Coast Guard, many assumed we were done here and we were moving back to Utah. No.  He still has his civilian job here in DC….our moving here had nothing to do with the Coast Guard though it made it a lot easier as much of his work was at Coast Guard headquarters which just happened to be down the street from Fort McNair where his civilian job is now.

 I was presented some beautiful flowers and Tom was presented his retirement pin by the Admiral

 One of the reasons he didn't want a ceremony was because so many of the people he's worked with are on the West Coast and wouldn't be able to be there.  But there were plenty East Coast people who came and it was great to see them all.

 Tom wrote and photographed for the Coast Guard magazine for many years so Ed (who was the editor) wrapped his gift in paper that what was either written about Tom or by Tom.

               He was also presented a shadow box that needs some updating but it was really nice.

So we've been to some of these things where there was a full meal, drinks, and giant parties but since Tom wanted low-key we only had to provide punch and cake as it was afternoon.  So I wanted to order the cake from Costco but they couldn't do the photo so I ended up at Harris Teeter.  I wanted a light blue trim (Coast Guardish in nature) but the bakery guy said he could do it in silver and gold to match the photo.  Um yeah….that looks like orange and grey to me but whatever.  Fortunately, stuff like that means little to Tom.

What was really awesome was Tom's brother Joey flying in from North Carolina just for the day.  He got here early and we had breakfast then just got to visit a while.  Ran errands, hit the ceremony then walked around the neighborhood and had dinner on the waterfront.  It was so great that he did that and I know it meant a lot to Tom.

I'm so glad that Tom will have this off his plate now though I know he will miss the work and associations that he's had.  We have been blessed through his work with the Coast Guard.  Yes, the extra income was nice and the extra retirement will be welcome but we got to travel as a family when he was working and he got to have so many experiences that will stay with him forever.  Serving here in DC for a year after 9/11, serving for 6 months at Coast Guard Island in Alameda, and a surprise 6 month active duty tour at Guantanamo Bay that was thrown together in a short week.  All were difficult, but ultimately blessings and I know he was proud to do the work.  It's been such a part of our lives for so long I know we will miss it.  It makes me have a greater appreciation for our active duty friends who leave full time military to transition into civilian life.  I'm glad we've had the opportunity and am so proud of the work that Tom has done.