Hey, Besties! 👯♀️ Beetle doesn’t officially retire until July but we went ahead and had his retirement ceremony a few weeks ago, right before he went on terminal leave. We were going back and forth on whether or not to have a ceremony but one of his fellow Chiefs told him he had to do it, not for himself, but for his family. We took that to mean me, George, the Mess, other shipmates, and his junior Sailors. So, he said ok… on three conditions: 1) George had to be there — so permission from the CO to board the ship and logistics to get George to the ship, 2) he wanted one of his former Sailors (now a Chief!) to be included in the Passing of the Flag ceremony, and 3) we needed to “depart” on a red carpet. Easy day!
It’s really was George’s show! (…and your’s too. 😉) ⚓️ 🌹 ⭐️
Congrats to Beetle and you! I know it's bittersweet, but hoping you guys are on to a great next chapter!