Paying it Forward Beading

Fourteen years ago today was the last time I ever wore my uniform. It was a bittersweet moment. Not the way I wanted to end my career, not the way I wanted to leave my service at all. I was at rock bottom and felt forced out.
No real ceremony. No retirement flag, no retirement certificates those eventually came a few years later but still no flag as I was told they forgot to submit the request and I just said f*ck it.
The command at that time didn't even give me a gift but my amazing troops came together and gave me a great gift that still sits proudly in my sons room. The only thing that is displayed from my years of service.
The way my career ended still bothers me but I am proud of my service. Proud of what I did. Proud of all the amazing people I met and thankful of the people who were strangers that became friends and I now call family. No one can take that away from me.
I wanted my career to end on my terms, I had a plan and ending it the way it did was not it. Whatever, it is what it is but I am proud to say I served.
To that person in that photo....I am sorry for what happened but I am glad that you held your head up and walked out of that squadron with your dignity. We did it and we are still serving in our own way.