Congratulations Master Sergeant!
Written by: Kathy Curry
Sunday evening my husband and I returned from Biloxi, MS. We were there to celebrate my brother retiring from the Air Force. Even after arriving in Biloxi, MS early Friday morning; I nor my husband, my sister, my cousin, her husband and my other young cousin, realized the ceremony we were about to witness, was just for Master Sergeant Sawyer. We thought it was an event similar to a graduating ceremony where many would be honored. Imagine our surprise and unsurpassed pride when we realized 600 airmen, the Air Force band and a host of other officials were all there just for my brother!
Master Sergeant Thomas E. Sawyer retired with 20 years of service to the United States Air Force. Master Sergeant Sawyer began his illustrious career serving at Eielson AFB in Fairbanks, AL and continued on to Luke AFB in Phoenix, AR; Nellis AFB in Las Vegas, NV; Defense Intelligence Agency in Washington, DC and ending at Keesler AFB in Biloxi, MS.
Never attending a military retirement ceremony, I really didn’t know what to expect. It was beautiful! I had to send him a text to ask how many awards he received. Even he lost count. I assure you, it was many! The professionalism and militant fashion combined with the obvious love, respect and admiration by colleague after colleague was phenomenal! The rituals that go along with these types of formal celebrations were impressive. And the icing on the cake was hearing Master Sergeant Sawyer giving his departing speech filled with thanksgiving to those who held him up along the way, appreciation for those he worked with side by side his last years at Keesler and finally, guidance and encouragement for the young airmen he was leaving behind. There were several times I became emotional myself. I don’t know how he made it through it without a complete breakdown, but he made it! He made it through the speech and he made it through 20 years of selfless service for our United States of America!
With his wife by his side, new baby in his arms, a few college degrees and a lot of experience under his belt, Master Sergeant Sawyer will shed the military titles and move to the next phase of life as just Thomas. It’s been a journey, the kind only Uncle Sam can take you on… but now it’s over! God bless you on your new journey! We know part two will be just as successful as part one! We love you and we are so very proud of you! Help me in saying congratulations to the newly retired Master Sergeant Thomas E. Sawyer!
Tags: ceremony, congratulations, Master Sergeant, military, retirement, US Air Force
March 17th, 2009 at 10:56 am
Congratulations to him! That is quite an honor.
March 17th, 2009 at 1:25 pm
Tom,
Congratulations and thank you once again for serving in our military. Me, you, and Kim tend to disagree a lot but here is one thing I can confidently say we all agree on, Thank God for all of the hero’s in uniform who defend our country and preserve our freedoms. Twenty years is quite the accomplishment and I hope you enjoy retirement my friend.
Best wishes to you and your family.
Ryan Kazinec´s last blog post..A Dirty Little Secret to Increase Your Followers on Twitter
March 17th, 2009 at 8:13 pm
Thank you Ryan. Our disagreements are educational to me. How boring would life be if we all had the same opinion?
March 17th, 2009 at 9:35 pm
Nothing pleases me more than seeing one of our men in uniform being honored for their service. I don’t think many people really understand the sacrifices they and their families are required to make in order to do their jobs. I’m proud of your brother and all of our great military men and women. God bless them all.
elaine kazinec´s last blog post..Cardboard letters hung with ribbon for childs room.
March 17th, 2009 at 10:05 pm
Congratulations Babe! Me and K are extremely proud of you and the service you provided to our country!
Kim Sawyer´s last blog post..Congratulations Master Sergeant!
March 18th, 2009 at 5:41 am
Hey Aaron! Where are you? Since I am now able to put a face with a name and you were one who also witnessed this great event, I need you to weigh in here!
March 19th, 2009 at 9:29 am
Here I am!
I was there and it was an honor for me as well as the rest of the MTL’s to make sure it went off without a hitch and honored his service. I’ve been in and at quite a few ceremonies and I will say that is the first time there has been that many Airmen in attendance as well as the band. For me it was a two fold expierence as I felt happy that he is moving to the next phase but sad to see him go. As I said before we will do out best to continue on here and not let him down. He cared about the Airmen more than they will ever know and was never hesitant if he needed to go to bat for one of us. Good luck Mr. Sawyer, it was a pleasure to serve along side of you.
March 19th, 2009 at 12:53 pm
Hey Aaron. I’m sure you will keep things going in a manner that will make him proud!
March 19th, 2009 at 11:36 pm
Aaron is an example of the people I worked with – they were all good people in my eyes. I was honored to be called their leader and more honored that they came to me for help or just to shoot the breeze. That kind of relationship is priceless.
March 19th, 2009 at 11:47 pm
congratulations for him!
Joanne´s last blog post..Kanye West Facing Jail
March 21st, 2009 at 8:59 am
Thank you for your service.
August 21st, 2010 at 10:09 am
Very informative post, I just added you to my Google News Reader. Keep up the great work Look forward to reading more from you in the future.