Retreat ceremony signals the end

  • Published
  • By Daryl Mayer
  • 88 ABW Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  A disparate group of Airmen - military and civilian, officer and enlisted - united together in common cause June 30 to show their respect to the nation's standard.

Accompanied by the Band of Flight, dozens of Airmen participated in the monthly Retreat Ceremony at the Base Flag Pole. The ceremony, designed to signal the official end of the duty day and honor the flag, was instituted on a monthly basis by Chief Master Sgt. Martin Smith, 88th Air Base Wing Command Chief, to help keep the workforce in touch with their common military heritage.

Units from across the base take turns participating in the events. This month's ceremony had representatives from the Air Force Security Assistance Center and the 88th Mission Support Group.

Beyond the close proximity to Independence Day and the high turnout of participants, this month's ceremony carried special significance, especially for the man standing out front.

Serving as Commander of Troops in what will surely be his final act of command before his upcoming retirement, Col. John Miller, AFSAC Vice Commander, barked the command, "Sound Retreat!" It was a phrase that signaled the end to this one particular duty day and in a larger sense to his own career as well.

Colonel Miller departed his native New York more than 28 years ago to get a commission from Officer Training School. The journey has taken him around the world before settling back here in Ohio and left him with two lasting impressions.

"I always approached each new assignment like it was the best assignment I would ever have," he said. "Keeping this positive attitude allowed me to focus on the positive and make every assignment a good one."

The colonel also came away with an appreciation for a solid career foundation.

"What success I've had can be attributed to strong support from my family," Colonel Miller said. "Every time it was time to move again, my wife always said, 'I don't care where we go as long as we're together.'"

Characteristically they were together on this final Retreat too -- the colonel in his position at the head of the troop formation and his wife on the side with the other spectators watching the end of both a day and a career.