XXXXX XXXXXXXXX (Rank/Name of Retiree)
RETIREMENT CEREMONY
8 June 2005
LOCATION:
DATE:
TIME:
PARTICIPANTS: Officiator:
Narrator:
Escorts:
Proffer:
National Anthem Singer:
Project Officer:
SEQUENCE OF EVENTS
Opening remarks
Arrival of Official Party
Posting of Colors
National Anthem
Officiator’s remarks (with career summary)
Presentation of Decoration
Retirement Ceremony
Shadow Box/Group Gift Presentation
Other presentations
Retiree’s remarks
Departure of Official Party
Reception
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PRE-CEREMONY
1330
Officiator, other DVs arrive. Retiree and family arrive.
(Reserved parking spots for officiator & family)
1345
Pre-ceremony music begins.
1350
Family members are escorted to their seats. Officiator and retiree (official party)
remain in the pre-ceremony area with escort.
1355
Narrator proceeds to the podium and the background music stops.
1400
NARRATOR’S OPENING REMARKS
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GOOD AFTERNOON LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. I AM XXXXXXXX, YOUR
NARRARATOR FOR TODAY’S CEREMONY. ON BEHALF OF THE OFFICIATOR,
XXXXXXX (title), XXXXXXX (rank/name of officiator), I WELCOME YOU TO THIS SPECIAL
EVENT. PLEASE TURN OFF ALL PAGERS AND CELL PHONES AT THIS TIME. TODAY,
THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE PAY SPECIAL TRIBUTE
TO XXXXXX(retiree’s name) ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT FROM ACTIVE
DUTY, CULMINATING OVER XX YEARS OF FAITHFUL AND HONORABLE SERVICE IN
THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE.
WE WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND A SPECIAL WELCOME TO XXXXXX (retiree’s name)
FAMILY
(List family in attendance, e.g. Lt Col Doe’s wife, Jane; his daughter, Sally, and son, Jack)
A SPECIAL WELCOME TO FRIENDS WHO HAVE TRAVELED MANY MILES TO BE HERE,
(List friends who have made special trip to attend)
ALSO JOINING US TODAY ARE:
(List DV’s who have RSVP’ed in order. Reference 437 AS Ceremony Introduction/Seating)
WE ALSO WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME ALL COMMANDERS, CHIEFS, FIRST
SERGEANTS, THEIR SPOUSES AND OTHER MEMBERS OF TEAM CHARLESTON AND
ESPECIALLY THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE 437TH XXXXXX GROUP.
WE
APPRECIATE YOUR PRESENCE AND CAMARADERIE AND THANK ALL OF YOU FOR
BEING WITH US TODAY.
Narrator:
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PLEASE RISE FOR THE ARRIVAL OF THE OFFICIAL PARTY,
AND THE SINGING OF THE NATIONAL ANTHEM.
Official Party
Enter room, proceed to center stage, face audience and remain standing in front of chairs.
Assistant:
Cue Ruffles and Flourishes (if general officer is officiating)
Ruffles and Flourishes sounds
Honor Guard
Moves forward and takes their position for National Anthem.
Singer
Once the flag is dipped, Begin singing the National Anthem……..
Narrator
Pause while Honor Guard Posts Colors.
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Honor Guard
Leave room.
Singer
Return to seat.
Narrator
PLEASE BE SEATED.
Narrator
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, XXXXXXXXX (officiator’s full name).
Officiator
Proceeds to podium, makes remarks/career summary. Returns to his seat on stage
Narrator:
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PLEASE RISE AND REMAIN STANDING AS
XXXXXX (Officiator) PRESENTS XXXXX (retiree) THE MERITORIOUS
SERVICE MEDAL FOR FAITHFUL, DEDICATED SERVICE TO HIS COUNTRY
AND THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE.”
Officiator
Moves into position at center stage.
Retiree
Stands and moves into position to officiator’s left.
Narrator
AWARD PRESENTATION
“ATTENTION TO ORDERS. CITATION TO ACCOMPANY THE AWARD OF …”
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Proffer
Proceeds to Officiator’s right.
Officiator receives the award; Officiator and Retiree both face center. Officiator clips medal on retiree’s
uniform, and they pause for photographs. They shake hands,
Narrator
“PLEASE JOIN ME IN GIVING XXXXX (retiree’s name) A BIG ROUND OF
APPLAUSE FOR HIS DEDICATED SERVICE.”
Narrator
“LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THE RETIREMENT PORTION OF TODAY’S
CEREMONY WILL NOW BEGIN.” PLEASE REMAIN STANDING FOR THE
READING OF THE RETIRMENT ORDER.
RETIREMENT CEREMONY
Narrator
“BY ORDER OF THE SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE AND THE DEPARTMENT
OF THE AIR FORCE, SPECIAL ORDER NUMBER XXXXX, XXXXXXXX (retiree’s rank and
name) IS RELIEVED FROM ACTIVE DUTY, 437TH AIRLIFT WING CHARLESTON AIR
FORCE BASE, SOUTH CAROLINA, AND IS RETIRED FROM ACTIVE DUTY WITH THE
UNITED STATES AIR FORCE, EFFECTIVE (date), IN THE GRADE OF XXXXXX, AFTER XX
YEARS OF FAITHFUL AND HONORABLE DUTY.
Narrator
“PLEASE BE SEATED.
XXXXXX (Officiator) WILL NOW PRESENT THE
RETIREMENT CERTIFICATES.”
Proffer
Proceeds to Officiator’s right and hands him the certificates, stepping back for photographs.
Narrator
“CERTIFICATE OF RETIREMENT FROM THE ARMED FORCES OF THE
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, TO ALL WHO SHALL SEE THESE
PRESENTS, GREETINGS: THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT XXXXXXXX (Retiree
rank/name) , HAVING SERVED FAITHFULLY AND HONORABLY, WILL BE
RETIRED FROM THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE ON THE XXXXX (date).
SIGNED, XXXXXXXX, CHIEF OF STAFF.”
Officiator
Hands Retiree the certificate, photographs are taken. Officiator turns the folder over to the Presidential letter.
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Narrator
“CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION FOR SERVICE IN THE ARMED FORCES OF THE
UNITED STATES.
XXXXXXXXXXXXX (Retiree’s rank/name), I EXTEND TO YOU MY
PERSONAL THANKS AND THE SINCERE APPRECIATION OF A GRATEFUL NATION FOR
YOUR CONTRIBUTION AND HONORABLE SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY. YOU HAVE
HELPED MAINTAIN THE SECURITY OF THE NATION DURING A CRITICAL TIME IN ITS
HISTORY WITH A DEVOTION TO DUTY AND A SPIRIT OF SACRIFICE IN KEEPING
WITH THE PROUD TRADITIONS OF MILITARY SERVICE. YOUR COMMITMENT AND
DEDICATION HAVE BEEN AN INSPIRATION FOR THOSE WHO WILL FOLLOW IN YOUR
FOOTSTEPS, AND FOR ALL AMERICANS WHO JOIN ME TODAY IN SALUTING YOU FOR
A JOB EXTREMELY “WELL DONE.” MY BEST WISHES TO YOU FOR HAPPINESS AND
SUCCESS IN THE FUTURE. SIGNED, XXXXXXXXXX, COMMANDER IN CHIEF.”
Officiator
Presents the letter to Retiree, shakes hands and pauses for photographs.
Proffer
Takes the certificates from officiator.
Narrator
“WE WOULD LIKE INVITE XXXXX (retiree’s spouse) TO THE STAGE.
Retiree’s spouse comes to the stage and stands between Officiator and Retiree.
Narrator
XXXXXX (retiree’s spouse) WILL NOW PLACE THE RETIREMENT PIN ON
HER HUSBAND’S LAPEL.
Proffer
Hands pin to spouse, who then places it on Retiree’s left lapel.
Narrator
WE WOULD NOW LIKE TO PRESENT XXXXX (spouse) WITH THE
CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION FOR STEADFAST SUPPORT OF XXXXXX
(Retiree) THROUGHOUT HIS CAREER
Proffer
Hands Spouse’s certificate to Officiator, stepping back for photographs.
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Narrator
“CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION FROM THE UNITED STATES AIR
FORCE. IN GRATEFUL APPRECIATION, THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE
PRESENTS THIS CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION TO XXXXXXX (Retiree’s
spouse) FOR THE COMMITMENT AND NUMEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS THAT
MADE POSITIVE IMPACTS TO THE NATION’S DEFENSE. THANK YOU FOR
THE SUPPORT, WHICH GAVE STRENGTH AND PURPOSE TO YOUR
SPOUSE’S SERVICE. SIGNED, XXXXXXXXX, CHIEF OF STAFF.”
Officiator
Hands spouse the certificate and pauses for photographs.
Proffer
Takes the certificate from Officiator and returns to the table.
Officiator
Returns to his seat.
Narrator
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, XXXXXXX (Group CC) WILL MAKE A
PRESENTATION ON BEHALF OF THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE 437TH
XXXXXXX GROUP.
Group Rep
Proceeds to Podium
Proffer
Passes gift to presenter and stands by to take it back to the table.
Group Rep
Makes presentation (shadow box and plaque) to Retiree and returns to seat after presentation.
Narrator
XXXXXXX (Squadron CC) WILL MAKE A PRESENTATION ON BEHALF OF
THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE XXXXXX SQUADRON.
Sqdn Rep
Makes presentation to Retiree and returns to seat after presentation.
OPEN FOR ANY OTHER PRESENTATIONS - WRITE IN
Narrator
“LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, XXXXXXX (retiree).
Retiree
Proceeds to podium.
On cue from Retiree, proffer hands flowers to Retiree. Retiree presents flowers to his/her spouse.
Retiree completes remarks and moves to center stage.
Narrator
“LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE UNITED
STATES AIR FORCE ARE PROUD TO HAVE SERVED WITH XXXXX (retiree)
AND WISH HIM AND HIS FAMILY EVERY SUCCESS IN THEIR FUTURE
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ENDEAVORS. PLEASE JOIN XXXXX (retiree) AND HIS FAMILY FOR A CAKE
RECEPTION IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE CEREMONY. THANK YOU
FOR ATTENDING THIS AFTERNOON’S CEREMONY.
PLEASE RISE FOR
THE PLAYING OF THE AIR FORCE SONG AND THE DEPARTURE OF THE
OFFICIAL PARTY.
AIR FORCE SONG/DEPARTURE
Official Party
Air Force song is played as Officiator and Retiree rise and escort spouse from the room. The family and
VIPs follow them, and then everyone else departs.
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