Honor & Respect

On Friday, we held a retirement ceremony for a member of our unit who just happens to be a Master Sergeant in the Air Force Reserve. He spent time in the active duty Air Force, Army Air Guard and the Air Force Reserve. As a co-worker and I walked around to remind people of the ceremony, I got irritated. As we reminded people of the ceremony we had a few different things happen. People ignored us, looked at us with blank looks like they didn't know about it or laughed. I even had an individual go off on a rant about he didn't know the guy and whatever. Mind you we had sent out two emais to our building. One the day prior and one a few hours before.

As a young Airmen, I was taught that it was propr respect to attend retirements or even promotion ceremonies for members of your unit. To me it's not whether we know the individual or not. It's to pay tribute to the Air Force member's service. The man who retired yesterday had spent 29 years defending his country. Granted people may have not known him as he was only around for about 30 days a year. Am I wrong for thinking this?

During his speech, he thanked everyone for attending. He said that having the unit give him this ceremony meant a lot to him and his wife. He said that if the Air Force (Reserve) would have let him he would have continued to serve with us. I have known this man for the last 5 years in my career. Everyone that worked with him liked and respected him. So, I don't think it was too much to ask people to take an hour out of there to pay honor and respect to the man's career. Am I out of line to think that others should do the same?

I stand and salute you Master Sergeant Jim Lawson. Thank you for the 29 years of military service you provided to your country. Congratulations on your retirement and best luck to you and your family in the future.