A Few Days Before Pam and I Went Over for a Family Visit to the USA I Received an Email

THE RETIREMENT CEREMONY OF AVCM (AW/NAC) Kenneth W Reichert UNITED STATES NAVY ___

A few days before Pam, my wife, and I went over for a family visit to the USA I received an email inviting us to the Retirement Ceremony of Master Chief Kenneth W Reichert, US Navy. Ken is an Avionics Technician and a Helicopter Aircrewman . Our son Rob had told us a little about these occasions but the event itself was more than we had anticipated and very interesting and impressive. This had all come about because our daughter in law, Yvette, who worked alongside Ken, where he was a Program Manager for the US Navy’s Center for Personal Development in Norfolk, Virginia, knew we were coming and that I was an ex-RN Chief Petty Officer. The day was, as usual, very hot and humid and it was a relief to get in an air conditioned car, followed by the cool hangar where the event took place. Ken’s former squadron was HM-14 (Mine Countermeasures Squadron), which explains the helicopters in the back of the hangar. It was a surprise when we walked through the hangar door to see so many present. There were at least 90 people there – 60ish of them Ken’s relations from around the country. We took our seats, with the helicopters behind as a backdrop. Captain William E Dewes USN, Commanding Officer of the Center was piped onboard as he walked between the Sideboys and mounted the stage, where the other members of the presentation party were waiting. The Color Guard, unusually, were drawn from the Boy Scouts as Kenneth was very involved with them. This was followed by a lady singing their National Anthem. The ceremony now got under way led by a Master of Ceremonies – a fellow Master Chief, Roberto Angelo. Captain Dewes pinned on Kenneth’s chest his final award, the Meritorious Service Medal. Mementoes were also presented to his wife, son and foster children. The audience was then addressed by Officers and Chiefs, including two Padres - Kenneth was obviously hedging his spiritual bets! These ranged from professional summations to lower deck memories of the various ships and commands where Ken had served during his 30 years. It came through clearly that this was a man not only dedicated to his profession but also to assisting his fellow man, both in the USN and the civilian side, the Boy Scouts in particular. Ken was presented with his “Shadow Box”, which holds mementoes of his career with the medals he won, the ranks he’d passed through, the ships and shore bases he’d served on, cap badges and his folded Flag – which is always one that has flown over an active duty unit, normally a ship underway. Items never to worn again, although retired military can wear uniform on ceremonial occasions if they wish. Then it was time for Kenneth to come forward to give his remarks on his service. As an Instructor he was used to speaking and he held the audience with his interesting, profound and witty voyage through his Naval years. He told us all that some of his guests had travelled from various parts of the world to attend, and he called on all those present who were ex-Naval to stand and be recognised. This they did. One of them in his old tropical whites had been on one of the Landing Craft in Operation Torch in World War II (the invasion of North Africa). Others were from that war, other conflicts too. They were applauded. Then he added “We have another Chief here from the Royal Navy – a Chief is a Chief!” I did not know what was expected and did not move. Kenneth then called out “Where is Yvette?” I was prodded to stand up by both Pam and Yvette. I had thought it was USN personnel that he had wanted people to acknowledge. I had never thought of standing. When I did Kenneth said that we have a Chief Petty Officer from USS Cossack–I mean HMS Cossack! That drew more applause – later he informed me that there had been two USS Cossacks (before my time though). His concluding remarks concerned his wife, then he said that the hardest duty of all to bear was that of the Naval spouse.. The reading of “Old Glory” followed by the Passing of the Flag ceremony was then carried out where the most junior rank slowly passes the folded flag to the next highest rank who in his turn passes it on to the next. It ends up with a Chief Petty Officer passing the flag to Ken. Each pass is accompanied by a salute. “THE WATCH” was then read, with great feeling by a fellow Chief.

The Benediction was followed by Ken being piped over the side. He returned and both he and his wife, Claire, were piped over the side as they passed arm in arm through the ranks of Honor Bosun and Side Boys. This was the end of the ceremony and Ken and Claire received congratulations from a long line of well wishers, relations, friends and other guests. Refreshments were laid out together with a large cake decorated with, ‘Fair Winds and Following Seas’. A fitting wish from us all, after what had been a very warm, friendly and hospitable Naval occasion.

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By tradition the ceremony is organised by his Mess and only those with 20 or more years service are entitled. The higher the rank the bigger the occasion.

The “Shadow Board” is presented by the Mess also. ______Naval traditions of other countries are always interesting and I’m sure that the reader will agree with me about this one, especially as it is so different from the RN way. This bears no relation to my leaving the RN which was a handshake from the Commodore of the RN Barracks, Portsmouth, and a sheet of paper informing me that I had been an Ambassador for all those years – pity the pay didn’t match the title! Nor the pension!

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