Master Chief Petty Officer Rick Phillips' Retirement Ceremony

This is the description of the ceremony from Julie.

The ceremony was in a room at the Chief Petty Officers club.
First, when we got there, we were standing at a receiving line waiting sit down. Everyone kept coming up to us and commenting that we were from Woodinville. It was spooky because we didn't know any of them and didn't tell them who we were or where we were from. Turns out Rick had told everyone we would be there. Then Rick walked in down an aisle, then a Navy guy escorted Aunt Dorothy down the aisle, then another one escorted Chris, then another escorted each daughter. Then another escorted me and then another, Jessica. It was very formal!! The commanding officers walked in to a loud bell ringing and then a high pierced whistle blowing. They walked in on a red carpet lined with ropes to simulate a gang plank. There was a flag ceremony and a women sang the Star Spangled Banner. The emcee read a letter from the president. Then the commander of the air station talked about Rick. It was mostly a funny speech. Rick got a new ribbon and then there was a presentation of his shadow box, and a plaque. Then there were flowers for Aunt Dorothy and Chris and then presentation of letters and plaques to Chris and each of the kids. Then Rick talked, thanking people. It was mostly a funny speech. After that, there was a flag ceremony where men who each were a rank that Rick had held were lined up. They passed the flag down the line to Rick while the emcee read a poem about Old Glory and music played. The flag had been flown over the air station Jan 11 this year, which was Rick's 50th birthday. Then Rick walked out through the "gang plank" for the last time. Actually it wasn't because he walked back through and got Chris and then walked through for the last time. I would say there were about 200 people there. The ceremony ended at 10:50 am. The minute it was over, the first thing to come rolling out was a keg on wheels. Everyone there seemed to have a beer mug with their name engraved on it just waiting!!! Then a nice buffet lunch was set out. A photographer took pictures. There was a nice cake. After all that, Rick had arranged for a driver to take us four, Aunt Dorothy, Chris and their kids to the place where he worked. An officer gave us a very nice, detailed tour. I have no idea what Rick actually did, although the name of the building was "avionics". The tour guy only talked in initials and acronyms. Before we went in each part of the building, he would call out the men working in there "Bringing guests in. No classified material should be out". I knew what that meant!! "Taxpayers arriving. Put all magazines away and look busy!!"

After the tour, we went back to the club where the bar was full. Rick had planned on staying there for the afternoon, I think. He is done working, but collects a check until July 1 while he looks for a job. It was a really nice time. I am very glad we went. The kids really loved it too.

Here are the pictures that Julie and Mike gave to me.

Deception Pass channel on our drive to Whidbey Island