^Joe's US Air Force retirement ceremony was held at Maxwell Air Force Base, Gunter Annex, in Montgomery Alabama, on July 19th, 2000. Joe spent 20 years, 7 months, and 10 days on active duty (but who's counting).^Joe's assignments were: 1980-1982, RAF Weathersfield, England. 1982-1983, RAF Chicksands, England. 1983-1986, Eglin Air Force Base, Ft. Walton Beach, Florida. 1986-1993, RAF Alconbury, England. 1993-2000, Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base, Montgomery, Alabama.^Use the right facing arrow below to step through the ceremony pictures. The ceremony began with Joe receiving his first Meritorious Service Medal. In this picture, Major Hill, Joe's section chief, is pining on his medal. In this picture Joe is receiving a citation that accompanies the medal. Next, Joe received a Certificate of Appreciation from President Clinton (calm down, Mom). Then came the Certificate of Retirement. Finally, Major Hill presented Joe with a retirement flag which they had encased and engraved. This flag flew over the US Capitol in Washing DC on April 29th, 2000. In this picture Joe's manager, Blanche Dillion, presents him a farewell gift. This gift, actual 1919 US Army Air Service flying regulations, was signed by everyone Joe worked with. Moira received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Air Force Chief of Staff, General Michael Ryan. Then she received thank you flowers from Joe, followed by ... ... a big juicy kiss! The retirement ceremony ended with a 13-step flag folding ceremony performed by the base honor guard. At the end, Joe was presented with the flag and the honor guard thanked him for his dedicated service to his country. And finally...pictures with the family. == end of file ==