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 GiftPresentation
Other presentations
Retiree’s remarks
Departure of Official Party
Reception
PRE-CEREMONY
1330Officiator, other DVs arrive. Retireeand family arrive.
(Reserved parking spots for officiator & family)
1345Pre-ceremony music begins.
1350Family members are escorted to their seats. Officiator and retiree (official party) remain in the pre-ceremony area with escort.
1355Narratorproceeds to the podium and the background music stops.
1400 NARRATOR’S OPENING REMARKS
GOOD AFTERNOON LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. I AMXXXXXXXX, 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. LtCol 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 PartyEnter 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.
SingerOnce the flag is dipped, Begin singing the National Anthem……..
Narrator Pause while Honor Guard Posts Colors.
Honor Guard Leave room.
SingerReturn to seat.
NarratorPLEASE BE SEATED.
NarratorLADIES AND GENTLEMEN, XXXXXXXXX (officiator’s full name).
OfficiatorProceeds 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.”
OfficiatorMoves 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 …”
ProfferProceeds to Officiator’s right.
Officiator receives the award; Officiator andRetiree 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 ACTIVEDUTY 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.”
ProfferProceeds 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.”
OfficiatorHands Retiree the certificate, photographs are taken. Officiator turns the folder over to the Presidential letter.
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.”
OfficiatorPresents the letter toRetiree, shakes hands and pauses for photographs.
ProfferTakes the certificates from officiator.
Narrator“WE WOULD LIKE INVITE XXXXX (retiree’s spouse)TO THE STAGE.
Retiree’s spousecomes to the stage and stands between Officiator and Retiree.
NarratorXXXXXX (retiree’s spouse)WILL NOW PLACE THE RETIREMENT PIN ON HER HUSBAND’S LAPEL.
ProfferHands pin to spouse, who then places it on Retiree’s left lapel.
NarratorWE WOULD NOW LIKE TO PRESENT XXXXX (spouse) WITH THE CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION FOR STEADFAST SUPPORT OFXXXXXX (Retiree) THROUGHOUT HIS CAREER
ProfferHands Spouse’s certificate to Officiator, stepping back for photographs.
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.”
OfficiatorHands spousethe certificate and pauses for photographs.
ProfferTakes the certificate from Officiator and returns to the table.
Officiator Returns to his seat.
NarratorLADIES AND GENTLEMEN,XXXXXXX (Group CC)WILL MAKE A PRESENTATION ON BEHALF OF THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE 437TH XXXXXXXGROUP.
Group RepProceeds to Podium
ProfferPasses gift to presenter and stands by to take it back to the table.
Group RepMakespresentation (shadow box and plaque) to Retiree and returns to seat after presentation.
NarratorXXXXXXX (Squadron CC)WILL MAKE A PRESENTATION ON BEHALF OF THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE XXXXXX SQUADRON.
Sqdn RepMakes presentation to Retiree and returns to seat after presentation.
OPEN FOR ANY OTHER PRESENTATIONS - WRITE IN
Narrator“LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, XXXXXXX (retiree).
RetireeProceeds to podium.
On cue from Retiree, proffer hands flowers to Retiree. Retiree presents flowers tohis/herspouse.
Retireecompletes 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 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 PartyAir 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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