Retiring at 30

David's military commanders (It's been 8 years and I'm still not familiar with their term or ranks or what I'm actually supposed to call them, so we will use military commanders for now...) had a luncheon for him at the Regency Hotel here in town. David has been medically retired from the military and yesterday was his last day at work. Technically, (according to paperwork and all the official documents) he's not retired until September, but he had some accrued days that he decided to use. So yes, yesterday was his last day in the Army, if you will! Lunch was very yummy and David received a retirement pin (now he gets to look like all the old guys that wear the VA hats with all their pins attached to them, seems pretty funny to me), an American flag, and a very special wooden bowl from the Great Alaskan Bowl Company, that has a picture of the Bassett Army Community Hospital, where he worked the past 3 years, engraved on it.
Even though I like to give David a hard time about being old, and becoming a "retired old fart", I am so very proud of him! He served well in the Army and was an excellent soldier. The trials that we have had to go through of being separated for a year on different sides of the world (unfortunately, some people have had to do more), and all the training that kept him away for weeks and months at times, I feel have made us better people today. It will definately be a lifestyle adjustment with David being home now, but I would rather him be with me than far away fighting in another country. I am grateful to him for his service and dedication to his country. Now it's my turn to be selfish in asking for dedication in helping me raise our little family. He is an awesome dad and his kids love him. I love him for the strength he is in my life.
Happy Retirement David! Have fun studying really hard in school now! I love you!

I wanted to take pictures yesterday of David in his uniform with all his commanding officers, but was unable to. So this is the only picture I could find of David in his uniform. Not the best of me, but this one's about him!