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)

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 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 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.