Attending a retirement Published June 25, 2007 By Chief Master Sgt. Charles Lee 90th Maintenance Operations Group superintendent F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo. -- For many of us, the dream of retirement is on the horizon. For the rest, it couldn't be further away. As we get older, we talk about retirement more and more while many of our peers can't wait for the announcement. However, let's not focus on our own retirement, but retirements of those around us who have finally made it to that important milestone; specifically, why we should attend the retirement ceremony itself. In today's fast-paced environment, we have little difficulty filling up our daily schedules. With cell phones and Blackberries in mass, we are instantly connected with the ebb and flow of the mission and are constantly on the move. We often have to cancel or move appointments to find the time to attend the important ones. We all have our own processes to determine which appointments meet the "important" category and which are "optional." Please consider retirement ceremonies as an event which qualifies as a "highly important" appointment. There are many reasons to attend a retirement ceremony. For one, the individual retiring has dedicated an important, if not the majority, part of their life to serving the Air Force, the United States of America and its people. They have made sacrifices that too few Americans in today's society fully understand. You should want to take the time to thank them for that sacrifice. It is also a great opportunity to publicly thank their friends and family members for their support and sacrifices. All too often, the spouse is never given the thanks needed for taking care of the household while the retiree is deployed, thanked for giving up their jobs every few years following permanent change of station orders or the multitude of other sacrifices made by the family. Take the time to show them how much we appreciate a fellow Airman's service. If the friends and family members can take time out of their busy schedules and often travel several hundred miles to attend, the least we can do is walk a few hundred feet from our office. Nothing is more disheartening than attending an individual's retirement ceremony only to see numerous unfilled chairs and low attendance. You should also want to honor them for all that they have accomplished by attending their final moments of active duty, ending years of dedicated service. Usually, the presiding official for the event will recall the retiree's accomplishments, units of assignment, awards and overall highlights of their career. This is the time for praise and adulation. There is no greater feeling than at the end of a ceremony when everyone gives the honoree a standing ovation. There are many other reasons to attend a retirement ceremony. Search within yourselves and how you would feel in their shoes. Whatever reason you determine, please take the time to attend retirement ceremonies and honor a fellow friend, Airman and American. The next time you hear of a ceremony, grab a few friends, co-workers or even bosses and help make the next retirement ceremony a memorable one.