And The Wakeup.

[Papa]

“Out of all the things you could not have there were some that you could have and one of those was to know when you were happy and to enjoy all of it while it was there and it was good.”

― Ernest Hemingway, Islands in the Stream

You see your face. It's no one you remember. You wonder where you put your love, what you found, what you were after. You want to say, "I slew the dragon, I left the world a safer place." You can't really. Not these days. Perhaps you never could.

--John Le Carre, The Secret Pilgrim

59877

“But perhaps he had enough animal strength and detached intelligence that he could make another start.”

― Ernest Hemingway, Islands in the Stream

[IANative]

I remember my wake up. Granted, it was separation from Uncle Sam in order to restart civilian life. But now I'm within 3 years and change to my next wake up, so I can imagine how it feels. Congrats to you, and best of luck on your new adventures.

[Jsavik]

Congratulations! It's a great time to be retiring.

[Brent Yamamoto]

Will raise a glass to you this evening my friend. Congratulations.

59881

[Trench]

Good Luck and God Bless.

[paknheat]

Congratulations Papa, good luck & good health to you in your new beginnings.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[LawDog]

Rock on, Papa. Rock on.

[62-10]

:cheers:

[SEANSTRAIT]

Congratulations and on to the next adventure.

[Marco Innocenti]

Papa,

I’ve met and hung out with you once there in WA, (which needs to be remedied soon), and immediately found you to be one of those men that other men would follow to hell and back. And then do it again.

You are one of those rare few I’ve encountered in my travels through life... The fighter AND the chess-player, the dangerous tactician and skilled strategist. (And I do consider myself an excellent judge of character.)

In other words, the complete Warrior. (Although there does seem to be a statistically anomalously higher number of them here on WT than most other places!)


All of those you have trained and mentored over the years should take a moment and reflect; deeply understanding and truly appreciating the gifts you gave them.


Congratulations on your retirement. Enjoy every moment of it.


I will now rinse the Jameson’s from my glass and carefully dry it.

So I that may fill it with the last of my Johnnie Walker Blue Label and raise it in your honor.

Salute e Cent’Anni!

[Papa]

Gentlemen:

Thank you for your encouragement, support and (undeserved) praise. I feel more at home here than I did in either of my previous gigs, which is a sad reflection on two professions.

A bit disorienting. At times feel like my retired self is looking down on my recuperating self: "Get your ass in gear and get back to work!" So, not yet filling the unforgiving minute, but in the last couple of days, I rowed recent bests on the erg for time and distance, mocked up my "restoration" of a No.4 Mk. 1, cut safety slots in a compact 320 frame and fitted it to the M18, reconverted a P226 from 9mm to .40, brought home a stripped P226 railed frame to use the spare parts I've accumulated for over thirty years, and, most important--

--did my first true pushup since the surgery.

It's my intent to exceed our old SWAT standards by Christmas--40 situps, 40 pushups, 6 pullups--but sub time on the erg for the 1.5 mile run to save my knees. I intend to clean the shooting standards as well--with either hand.

Also on the agenda: learning to weld, and to ride a horse competently. And now there's time for a true study of martial arts...and writing.

Meanwhile, check your six and drink plenty of water.

[Gunstore Commando]

Congratulations! Well earned...

Now enjoy having time off, in the short time before your schedule gets busier than before you retired... :naughty:

[NVSeabee]

Enjoy your well earned retirement. Goodbye tension Hello pension.

[Papa]

Enjoy your well earned retirement. Goodbye tension Hello pension.

I am so stealin' that.

[NVSeabee]

Feel free to steal it that's how I got it. :)

I retired off the job 5 years ago. It felt odd at first but you feel like a huge weight is lifted off your shoulders.