 Ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon and welcome to Joint-Based San Antonio for Sam Houston's retirement ceremony hosted by Medical Readiness Command West. The host for today's ceremony is the Deputy Surgeon General for the National Guard at the office of the Surgeon General Brigadier General Robert J. Ferry. The co-host is Command Sergeant Major Delroy G. Barnett, Command Sergeant Major Public Health Command West. Distinguished guests in attendance today include Lieutenant General John R. Evans Jr., Commander, United States Army North, and Senior Commander Fort Sam Houston and Camp Bolas. Command Sergeant Major Jeremiah E. Gann, Command Sergeant Major United States Army North, and Senior Enlisted Leader Fort Sam Houston and Camp Bolas. Lieutenant General Omar Jones, Major General Kevin Admiral, Major General Jill Ferris, Command Sergeant Major John Sampa. Other key leaders, family members, and guests, thank you for honoring the retirees with your presence today. Please stand for the playing of our national anthem by Fort Sam's own 323rd Army Band and remain standing for the invocations given by Chaplain Major Stephen Glenn of the Brook Army Medical Center. As we lean into this prayer, my heart is full of excitement and pride for you, your families. And I just ask that you would take a moment to reflect on what all this means and just celebrate with them. I know our traditions may be different in faith and as we reflect, but please take this moment to pray and reflect in your tradition as I will pray in mine. Gracious Lord, as I peer into the depths of the universe, I experience a wonder and vastness of your sovereignty. And when I sit the soil of the earth, through my hands, I'm inspired by your chosen source of life. Somewhere within your eternal timeline as the Alpha Omega, the beginning and end, you decided to breathe life into each individual here. And every person is wonderfully made. You kissed each breath of life with the promise of never leaving us nor forsaking us. For you, God, are our comforter, counselor, prince of peace. And you are characterized as love and you offer undefiled hope. And it is because of your passion for us each that enable us to journey life. And God, there was a time in your province when you selectively breathed life into the retiring service members present today. You decided that this world needs them now. You walked with them, talked with them, encouraged them and granted your wisdom as aid to them. Additionally, thank you for all the lives you have inserted at just the right moments who have been instruments of encouragement to them. Thank you for enabling their career and bringing them to this moment. And God, I invite you into this ceremony and I pray they each feel your presence as you guide them to and through new fronts of excellence as a retired comrade in arms. God, please bless these families, our military, our allies, and God, please bless our United States of America. Amen. Please be seated. At this time, a flag detail from medical readiness command West will perform a flag folding ceremony, a special tribute to our retirees. When observing an honor guard during the folding of the flag, you may notice how the particular process results in the flag being folded 13 times. You may have thought this symbolized the original 13 colonies. However, each step has a separate and very distinctive meaning. The first fold of our flag is a symbol of life. The second fold represents the 50 states of the United States of America. The third fold is made an honor and remembrance of the veterans departing our ranks who gave a portion of his or her life for the defense of our country to attain peace throughout the world. The fourth fold represents loyalty. These are times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patrol will in the crisis shrink from the service of their country. But he that stands by it now deserves the love and thanks of men and women, Thomas Payne. The fifth fold is a tribute to our country and the words of Stephen Decatur, our country and her intercourse with foreign nations. May she always be in the right but right or wrong. Our country. The sixth fold is for where our hearts lie. It is with our heart that we pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God indivisibly with liberty and justice for all. The seventh fold is attributed to our armed forces for it is through the armed forces that we protect our country and our flag against all her enemies, whether they be found within or without the boundaries of our Republic. The eighth fold is a tribute to selfless service. Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country. John Fitzgerald Kennedy. The ninth fold is a tribute to womanhood for it has been through their faith, their love, loyalty and devotion that the character of the men and women who made this country great has been molded. The tenth fold is a tribute to the father for he too has given his sons and daughters for the defense of our country since he or she was first born. The eleventh fold is inscribed on the Statue of Liberty. Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the rigid refuse of your teaming shore. Send these the homeless tempest tossed to me. I lift my lamp beside the golden door. The twelfth fold represents the quality. We hold these truths to be self evident that all men are created equal that are endowed by their creator with certain and unalienable rights that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The thirteenth and final fold is for when the flag is completely folded. The stars are uppermost reminding us of our nation's motto and God we trust after the flag is completely folded and tucked and it takes on the appearance of a cocked hat ever reminding us of the soldiers who served under General George Washington and the sailors and Marines who served under Captain John Paul Jones who were followed by their comrades and shipmates and the armed forces of the United States, preserving for us the rights, privileges and freedoms we enjoy today. Will our honored retirees please stand. This flag is the true emblem of our unity, power and purpose as a nation. Accept it, protect it and be ever mindful that the young men and women you have trained, led and inspired throughout your outstanding careers will follow in your footsteps and defend this flag with equal pride. Honored retirees, please be seated. Today we pay special tribute to 12 soldiers upon the retirements. The retirement ceremony is a time-honored tradition and days gone by when a soldier retired, their entire regiment turned out to honor them with a farewell review. Joint base San Antonio, Fort St. Houston continues many of these customs today. During today's ceremony, each soldier will receive a number of items to include a United States flag, a soldier for life propel pin and a certificate of retirement which reads, from the armed forces of the United States of America to all who shall see these presents, greeting, all retirees have served faithfully and honorably and are retired from the United States Army, signed Randall A. George, General United States Army Chief of Staff. Retirees will also receive a certificate from the Commander-in-Chief, which reads, I extend my personal gratitude and the sincerest appreciation of a grateful nation to you for your patriotic service to our country. Your bravery and dedication in our armed forces helped to protect your fellow Americans during a critical moment in our history and contributed to a world of greater security and growing prosperity. Your devotion to duty, honor and country and keeping with the long traditions of the finest military in the world embodied the American idea of selfless service. Our nation owes you an incredible debt. Your commitment and the example you set will inspire future generations to serve with pride and keep our country secure. You represent the best of our nation and I join our fellow Americans in saluting your honorable service. I wish you happiness and success in your next chapter, signed Joseph R. Biden, Jr., Commander-in-Chief. Spouses will receive a certificate of appreciation from the United States Chief of Staff of the Army, the certificate reads, To all who shall see these presents, greetings, on the occasion of the retirement of your spouse from the United States Army, you have earned grateful appreciation for your own unselfless, faithful and devoted service. Your unfailing support and understanding helped to make possible your spouse's lasting contribution to the nation, signed Randall A. George General, United States Army Chief of Staff. Retiree children will receive a brat certificate of appreciation. Brat stands for boldness, responsibility, adaptability and tolerance. The certificate reads, For distinguished and steadfast support of your parents upon the occasion of his or her retirement from the United States Army, your understanding, patience and endurance of the many absences and your family's many moves underscore your own selfless service and sacrifice to our great nation. Miss birthdays, holidays, school and sporting events are the price of life as an Army family member. For this, you shall be justifiably proud just as we are all proud of you. Thank you for all you have done and will continue to do for our nation. Signed John R. Evans, Jr., Lieutenant General, commanding. Well, Brigadier General Robert J. Ferry and Command Sergeant Major Delroy G. Barnett, please come forward. Headquarters, Department of the Army Special Orders, by order of the Chief of Staff, United States Army, General Randall A. George, the following personnel of the Department of the Army are retired. Mike Fariclaw retires after 32 years of service. At the time of his retirement, he served as the Inspector General Installation Management Command at Joint Base San Antonio, Fort San Houston, Texas. General Fariclaw receives a certificate of retirement from the Chief of Staff of the Army and a soldier for life lapel pen for his 32 years of faithful service to the nation and the United States Army. Children, Nasha Fariclaw, Taya Fariclaw, Anna Fariclaw, and Bill Fariclaw receive their brat certificate of appreciation. After retirement, Colonel Fariclaw and his family will make their home in San Antonio, Texas. Our nation proudly salutes Colonel Mike Fariclaw, United States Army, retired. Colonel Nick R. Cabano retires after 27 years of service. At the time of his retirement, he served as the Director, Department of Defense Military Working Dog Veterinary Services, Joint Base San Antonio, Fort San Houston, Texas. Colonel Cabano receives a certificate of retirement from the Chief of Staff of the Army and a soldier for life lapel pen for his 27 years of faithful service to the nation and the United States Army. Dr. Emily Cabano receives a spouse certificate of appreciation for the United States Army Chief of Staff. Colonel Cabano and his family will make their Colorado Springs, Colorado. Our nation proudly salutes Colonel Nick R. Cabano, United States Army, retired. Lieutenant Colonel Robert P. Quint Jr. retires after 24 years of service. At the time of his retirement, he served as the Operations Officer, Operational Protection Directorate, U.S. Army South Headquarters, Joint Base San Antonio, Fort San Houston, Texas. Lieutenant Colonel Quint receives a certificate of retirement from the Chief of Staff of the Army and a soldier for life lapel pen for his 24 years of faithful service to the national nation and the United States Army. Dr. Jennifer Quint receives a spouse certificate of appreciation from the United States Army Chief of Staff. Children Robert Quint III, Tripp, Tessa Quint, and Annabelle Quint will receive the brat certificate of appreciation. After retirement, Lieutenant Colonel Quint and his family will make their home San Antonio, Texas. Our nation proudly salutes Lieutenant Colonel Robert P. Quint Jr., United States Army, retired. Lieutenant Colonel Joel L. Moore retires after 31 years of service. At the time of his retirement, he served as the Chief of Plans and Exercise at the Intelligence Directorate, United States Army North, Joint Base San Antonio, Fort San Houston, Texas. Lieutenant Colonel Moore receives a certificate of retirement from the Chief of Staff of the Army and a soldier for life lapel pen for his 31 years of faithful service to the nation and the United States Army. Mr. Theresa Moore receives a spouse certificate of appreciation from the United States Army Chief of Staff. After retirement, Lieutenant Colonel Moore and his family will make their home in San Antonio, Texas. Our nation proudly salutes Lieutenant Colonel Joel L. Moore, United States Army, retired. Major Daniel A. Reina retires after 22 years of service. At the time of his retirement, he served as a charge nurse, Brooke Army Medical Center, Joint Base San Antonio, Fort San Houston, Texas. Major Reina receives a certificate of retirement from the Chief of Staff of the Army and a soldier for life lapel pen for his 22 years of faithful service to the nation and the United States Army. Ms. Kenya Reina receives a spouse certificate of appreciation from the United States Army Chief of Staff. Children Christian Reina, Kiera Reina, and Elijah Reina will receive the brat certificate of appreciation. After retirement, Major Reina and his family will make their home in Cicillo, Texas. Our nation proudly salutes Major Daniel A. Reina, United States Army, retired. Command Sergeant Major Jerry Johnson II retires after 30 years of service. At the time of his retirement, he served as ACO's G6, R North and Fifth Army, United States Army North, Joint Base San Antonio, Fort San Houston, Texas. Command Sergeant Major Johnson receives a certificate of retirement from the Chief of Staff of the Army and a soldier for life lapel pen for his 30 years of faithful service to the nation and then United States Army. Command Sergeant Major Johnson will receive the late Mrs. Amy Johnson's spouse certificate of appreciation on her behalf from the United States Army Chief of Staff. Children Jeania Johnson and Alani Johnson will receive the brat certificate of appreciation. After retirement, Command Sergeant Major Johnson and his family will make their home in San Antonio, Texas. Our nation proudly salutes Command Sergeant Major Jerry Johnson II, United States Army, retired. Sergeant Major Jerry Blackwell retires after 40 years of service. At the time of her retirement, she served as the Senior Enlisted Advisor, United States Army Medical Command Reserve Affairs, Joint Base San Antonio, Fort San Houston, Texas. Sergeant Major Blackwell receives a certificate of retirement from the Chief of Staff of the Army and a soldier for life lapel pen for her 40 years of faithful service to the nation and United States Army. Mr. David Blackwell Sr. receives a spouse certificate of appreciation from the United States Army Chief of Staff. Children Ryan Harper, David Blackwell Jr., Mitchell Blackwell and Michael Blackwell will receive the brat certificate of appreciation. After retirement, Sergeant Major Blackwell and her family will make their home in San Antonio, Texas. Our nation proudly salutes Sergeant Major Sherry Blackwell, United States Army, retired. First Sergeant Benjamin Rodriguez retires after 20 years of service. At the time of his retirement, he served as the Brigade Operations Sergeant Major, 120th Infantry Brigade, First Army West Division, Fort Kvassos, Texas. First Sergeant Rodriguez receives a certificate of retirement from the Chief of Staff of the Army and a soldier for life lapel pen for his 20 years of faithful service to the nation and United States Army. Ms. Anna Rodriguez receives a spouse certificate of appreciation from the United States Army Chief of Staff. Children Ethan Rodriguez, William Rodriguez, and Esteban Rodriguez will receive the brat certificate of appreciation. After retirement, First Sergeant Rodriguez and his family will make their home in San Antonio, Texas. Our nation proudly salutes First Sergeant Benjamin Rodriguez, United States Army, retired. First Sergeant Jose F. Beckway retires after 20 years of service. At the time of his retirement, he served as First Sergeant, 560th Ground Ambulance and the Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge, U.S. Army Medical Test and Evaluation Activity Medical Center of Excellence, Joint Base San Antonio, Fort Sam Houston, Texas. First Sergeant Beckway receives a certificate of appreciation from the Chief of Staff of the Army and a soldier for life lapel pen for his 20 years of faithful service to the nation and United States Army. Ms. Genevieve Beckway receives a spouse certificate of appreciation from the United States Army Chief of Staff. Children Kofi Beckway and Kvabna Beckway will receive the brat certificate of appreciation. After retirement, First Sergeant Beckway and his family will make their home in San Antonio, Texas. Our nation proudly salutes First Sergeant Jose F. Beckway, United States Army, retired. Master Sergeant Hector J. Maldonado retires after 24 years of service. At the time of his retirement, he served as the Senior Enlisted Leader, Standards and Evaluation Division, Medical Education and Training Campus, Defense Health Agency, San Antonio, Texas. Master Sergeant Maldonado receives a certificate of retirement from the Chief of Staff of the Army and a soldier for life lapel pen for his 24 years of faithful service to the nation and the United States Army. Ms. Farah Kaki Maldonado receives a spouse certificate of appreciation from the United States Army Chief of Staff. Children Annabelle Maldonado, Matthew Maldonado and Adrian Maldonado will receive the brat certificate of appreciation. After retirement, Master Sergeant Maldonado and his family will make their home in Sibylo, Texas. Our nation proudly salutes Master Sergeant Hector J. Maldonado, United States Army, retired. Sergeant First Class Tashika Pru retires after 20 years of service. At the time of her retirement, she served as the noncommissioned officer in charge, 106 Signal Brigade, Joint Base San Antonio, Fort St. Houston, Texas. Sergeant First Class Pru receives a certificate of retirement from the Chief of Staff of the Army and a soldier for life lapel pen for her 22 years of faithful service to the nation and the United States Army. Mr. Stephen Coward receives a spouse certificate of appreciation from the United States Army Chief of Staff. Children Therese Pru and Stephen will receive the brat certificate of appreciation. After retirement, Sergeant First Class Pru and her family will make their home in Bowie, Maryland. Our nation proudly salutes Sergeant First Class Tashika Pru, United States Army, retired. Sergeant First Class Russell J. Thomas retires after 26 years of service. At the time of his retirement, he served as an instructor at the Combat Medic Specialist Training Program, Medical Center of Excellence, Joint Base San Antonio, Fort St. Houston, Texas. Sergeant First Class Thomas receives a certificate of retirement from the Chief of Staff of the Army and a soldier for life lapel pen for his 26 years of faithful service to the nation and the United States Army. Mrs. Rocio Thomas receives a spouse certificate of appreciation from the United States Army Chief of Staff. Children Angel Gutierrez and Aurora Thomas will receive the brat certificate of appreciation. After retirement, Sergeant First Class Thomas and his family will make their home in Converse, Texas. Our nation proudly salutes Sergeant First Class Russell J. Thomas and United States Army retired. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome today's guest speaker, the Deputy Surgeon General for the National Guard at the Office of the Surgeon General, Great Air General Robert J. Ferry. Well, thank you for that kind applause, but I'd like you to really thank the great band for Fort St. Houston. How about a round of applause for that great band, huh? From the Star Wars, the Star Spangled Banner. They got it covered. That's just fantastic. So it's my privilege on behalf of your fellow soldiers and arms, army and civilian leaders, but really, most importantly, the American people you defended to thank you and to have the honor of hosting your retirement ceremony. Let me give you a little perspective. The 12 individuals we were honoring here today have 318 years of combined service to our nation. How about that? That is 70 years more than the nation itself. That's 83 years more than the Constitution they swore to protect and defend. It is just incredible how selfless they have been. And so I will keep my remarks brief here. Certainly a guy with a face for radio, it's a testament to the Army's potential that you can put someone up here with a face like this and so many photographs. But if you think about this transition from this life of selfless service back to a world where children don't have to ask when mommy or daddy is coming home, mommy and daddy are home. And you know, sometimes these transitions, these big transitions can feel a little unsettling. So as a physician, I can't resist giving you a prescription, having seen a lot of people go through this transition or one similar to it. So if you remember just one thing from that guy today, it's my prescription when you go to your family's home, it's a prescription for a dose of love. And there are going to be times in this transition where it's a little unsettling, feels a little odd. You know, it's not what was familiar for so many years. And when those times get maybe a little rocky, a little wistful, we are certainly bittersweet to see you go and take all that experience with you. But we're more sweet than bitter. We're delighted that you are back full time with the families that supported you. But when it is a little unsettling, I'm going to recommend you triple the dose of love. Because that's what your family has done for the last 20, 40 years, Sergeant Major Blackwell. That's a long time. So when you think about, I think the Bengals were the number one band 40 years ago, right? Walk like an Egyptian in the wayback time machine. So if you think about those rough times, just triple the dose, because that's what your family has been doing for all these years, they have always kept the home fires burning. They've always kept the light on whatever token or talisman of care and affection and selfless love and support. That's what they did for you. Now it's your turn to try and pay it back. It's impossible that to pay, but you keep paying it anyway. There's joy in that. I also want to just take a moment to, for you to think about in this really happy day, just take a moment to think about all you've served with, all those with whom you have served, and remember just for a moment here, some who made that ultimate sacrifice. Remember though, their families are not alone because you're still there. You remember their loved ones. And just as you're going to support your families, sometimes you're going to reach back and you're going to say, we're still here. We still got your six. We still got your back. So the watch has passed. The guidance has passed. The net has passed. The responsibilities and the burdens on your shoulders have passed. But the friendships will endure for as long as you live and beyond. As long as your children remember your service and honor it and your grandchildren, there will always be someone thankful that you kept our flag flying, kept us protected under the shield of freedom that you supported. And for that, it's, it seems almost trite to say, but it really is a heartfelt thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, please remain seated for the playing of Old Soldiers Never Die and Old Langsend. At this time, all honored retirees, please report to the stage for a final roll call conducted by Command Sergeant Major Delroy Barnett. Please stand for the playing of the Army song. The words are printed on the last page of your program. We invite you to sing along. Please be seated. This concludes today's ceremony. Thank you for attending. Please come forward to thank the retirees for their service to our great nation.