Retirement Ceremony for Lt. Col. Rick Collison, August 8, 2020
Transcript
Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. I am Senior Master Sergeant Tammy Stretch. I will be your master of ceremonies for today’s retirement. I would like to remind everyone to silence all electronic devices at this time. Ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of the presiding officer, Brigadier General Gent Welsh assistant agita in general for Air and Commander Washington Air National Guard. Welcome to today’s ceremony honoring Lieutenant Colonel Rick T. Collison on the occasion of his retirement from the Washington Air National Guard. Please stand for the arrival of the official party in the playing of ruffles and flourishes and our national anthem. As a reminder during an outside during an outdoor ceremony, military members should render salute during both the playing of honors and the national anthem. Civilian should place their right hand over their heart during the national anthem. Right. Today we pay special tribute to Colonel Collison as he retires. After more than 36 years of dedicated faithful service. Please be seated. We would like to welcome the following distinguished visitors. Please hold your applause until all have been recognized. Colonel Page Abbott, Director of Staff, Washington Air National Guard Command Chief Master Sergeant Marvin Boyd Command chief. Washington Air National Guard. Rick’s wife, Veronica Keathley. Daughters Kia and Kendra. Mother and father in law James and Karen Keithley and sister in law Eric Acutely. And close friends Jim and Becky Hunt. It takes hard work and support to retire. The rank of lieutenant colonel were extremely honored to share this special occasion with Rigg’s family, friends, senior leaders and Philip Airman who helped support Colonel Collison throughout his career. Thank you for attending. Ladies and gentlemen, General Welsh, would you like, would like to share a few words before we retire? Colonel Collison, have that removed. Good line out of stripes. Um well, first of all, at least it’s not raining. It is in the western Washington. But ah, I did want to go a cappella Rick and just sort of throw the script out, but actually started writing a few things down. And ah, I hope this is meaningful for you. So first I’d like to welcome Rex family. Ah, wife, Veronica, daughter, ski and Kendra, mother and father in law, James and Karen and sister in law Erica Keathley. And certainly thanks everybody out there in the audience that is socially distanced and Certainly those in the socially distanced Livestream land as well in Israel. Have your mass on Okay, Big thanks to the headquarters team. Socially. Page that pulled this one off on set this up. This is really It’s about you, Rick. But it’s really more about kind of a dry run for General Landon’s retirement tomorrow. So even in even in retirement assumed to be retirement, you’re still rendering service to general officers there. Ah, this is certainly a bittersweet day for me. I would say better in the sense that we’re losing a trusted and respected officer and, uh, mostly friend. Ah, but sweet in the sense that I’m not the oldest guy on stage here. It’s depressing that when you kind of get toe the point in my career where you’re the old guy and you’re retiring people. Ah, that came into the service many, many years before you eso Thanks, Rick, for being the true senior statesman on stage here and letting meal feel just a little bit young for a few minutes. All right, I’m gonna run through some quick numbers and fax for you here. So So bear with me. Rick is retiring after 36 years of service. 36. Rick has served under six Presidents Azul here. Later, he’s received letters of congratulations from four of them. If you added up Ricks years of service and included his four years of Navy time, Rick is served during 49% of the Air Force is total existence. That is a truly long and distinguished career. So do the math, Rick. Just a few other little useless factoids Rick is a movie star on if you realize that for those familiar with 19 eighties coming of age movies like I Am, the movie Vision Quest Should Stand Out. The movie was filmed and Spokane at North Central High School, where Rick was attending at the time. And, although he’s not officially credited somewhere in the movie, is Rick’s head have been assured. Ah, he got a cameo appearance and in that one, and just another useless fact away. This is we’re reminiscing earlier. I actually first met Rick in 1993 when we were both taking a night class called Introduction to Logic at the Spokane Falls Community College, and at that point ah, he stood out to me. Ah, as as we’re both enlisted gas at the time in the Air Guard, and I was jealous that he was in a unit in Spokane and I had to travel to Can’t Marie for drills. So there you go. Now we’re both here. Rick entered the military in 1984 and I was going to insert a Joker to about the irony of Rick retiring in the year 2020 which, given all the things going on this year, is probably more like 1984 and the things that George Orwell thought in his famous novel but recall Leave it there. When Rick entered the Navy in 1984 our largest adversary was the Soviet Union. An interesting comparison now that in 2020 the Russians continue to occupy a big chunk of our nation’s strategic thought. Rick’s first assignment was at a Navy electronica tax water and write upon would be island. The mission of that attacks water was to find, fix and electronically attack radar signals from enemy surfaced air radar systems. And although he was a personnel specialist at the time, that first assignment was sure more, uh, you know, probably did more to whet your appetite to do something in the intelligence crew feel given that mission. And it was also in the Navy that Rick had one of his most memorable career accomplishments, and that is going from E one E five in a mere three years and six months in chief is a former Navy guy. You can probably attest that that said, that’s moving fast. After deciding that with rapid advancement like that, he was clearly too smart for the Navy. He enlisted as an air cargo specialist in the Air Force Reserve. In 1988 he decided it was time to move back to Spokane, where he grew up in transfer to the to 42nd air traffic control flight at Geiger Field, reaching the rank of master sergeant In 1999 Rick decided that there was still more to Dio, and he was selected and receive an officer’s commission in the Air National Guard and immediately transitioned into a full time position as an intelligence officer. Individual Mobilization OG minty, assigned to the 92nd Operations Support Squadron re provided briefings and analysis to support worldwide tanker operations. Rix career really took off when he was selected for a full time director level position in the relatively new to 62nd Network Operations Squadron now to 62nd Cyber Operations Water. And it was at this point that you can truly say that Rick was doing cyber before before Cyber was a thing. During this time of the 262 I was assigned as the to five to deputy commander, and I could always count on Rick to give me the straight skinny on what was going on in his unit. I really appreciated the opportunity to work with him in that position. Rick transferred to the 1 94th Intelligence Squadron in 2012 as the director of operations and was selected as the commander in 2016. It was in this assignment, a squadron commander, that Rick truly excelled. The famous American poet Maya Angelou said it best. People will forget what you said. People will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. Rick made the members of his squadron feel like they were the best when he was there, Commander, he was their tireless advocate. Everyone here always looks for meaning in their work, and Rick gave the members of his unit. Meaningful work. He developed an innovative operations incidental the training program using Air National Guard training time to contribute to daily high priority Air Force missions. Instead of telling us folks what it was like to play in the Super Bowl, he created opportunities for them to actually play in the Super Bowl, and they loved him for it. When Ricks time in command was up, he still had a few years to go to fully finish out his career, and he came to the headquarters. Washington Air National Guard is our executive officer. Now, I tell you that working in the headquarters sometimes feels like it’s working under a waterfall. You’re constantly swimming and not sure which way is up. Rick, I’ve greatly appreciated getting to work with you again in your role as an exact And I’m glad we could finish out your career working together. And Lieutenant Colonel Collison, I’m gonna be very formal. Rick, this is sort of the last year and me to give you, but you have given I would say, the second best years of your life to the service of your country. Now it’s time for you to give the best years of your life to your wife and your loving family in your retirement. Thank you. At this time, Colonel Collison will be presented with a meritorious service medal and the reading of the retirement order. Please stand attention to orders. This is to certify that the Meritorious Service Medal has been awarded to Rick T. Collison for Meritorious Service. Lieutenant Colonel Rick T. Collison distinguished himself in the performance of outstanding service to the United States while a scientist headquarters, Washington Air National Guard As the executive officer, Colonel Collison expertly supported three general officers and 41 Directorate personnel, providing continuity and representation for the Air Guard at the state agitated in general level, and was continuously relied upon for his experience and knowledge regarding mission areas across the state. He coordinated multiple morale boosting events, annual training activities that led to synergistic effects among the headquarter staff. Colonel Collison regularly and actively pursued new methods and opportunities to assist members with challenging situations, finding unique resolutions that aided in the increase of in strength for the Washington Air National Guard. Finally, Colonel Collison proved himself as an invaluable as invaluable, supporting six engagements with the Malaysian and Thailand airports is his efforts provided key assistance that strengthen the ties between countries and increase the presence and representation of the United States in the Pacific area of operation. The SIG singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Collison, common in a long and distinguished career in the service of his country and referral it reflect great credit upon himself. The Air National Guard in the United States Air Force given under my hand Gent Welsh Brigadier General Washington Air National Guard Colonel Collison is also receiving the Washington State Meritorious Service Medal. Okay, ladies and gentlemen, please continue standing for the reading of the retirement order. Attention to orders. Lieutenant Colonel Rick T. Collison is relieved from current assignment Assigned to the retired Reserve section and placed on the U. S. Airports Reserve Retired list effective 31 December 2020 By order The Secretary The airport sign Ramon World on Chief transition division. Ladies and gentlemen, please be seated. An honor Guard representative is now bringing forward a United States flag to present for dedicated service from August 1984 to December 2022. Colonel Collison Colonel Collison has received a presidential certificate of appreciation from former President George W. Bush. It reads, Dear Rick, thank you for your service in the United States Armed Forces. I am proud of serving as your commander in chief, and I’m pleased to join your family, friends and colleagues in recognizing your career and accomplishments throughout history, the dedicated men and women of our military have protected our citizens and preserve the ideals that make our country strong. Their courage and sacrifice of inspired countless people and have helped shape America’s character on behalf of a grateful nation. I thank you for your contributions to our security and to the cause of peace and freedom. Your service Patriotism is selfless. Devotion have helped advanced the universal hope of liberty at home and around the world. Laura and I send our best wishes for health and happiness in the years ahead. My God bless you, and may God continue to bless America Sincerely. George W. Bush. Colonel Collison has also received letters from former President Jimmy Carter, former President Bill Clinton and former President Barack Obama. Miss Keithley will now be presented with the Spouses Guardsmen Support Award, the certificate reads. This is to certify that The governor of the State of Washington has awarded the Washington National Guard Commander’s Award for Guardsmen support Veronica am Casely Keithley and sincere in grateful appreciation of your enduring loyalty and faithfulness. As Lieutenant Colonel Collison served our state and nation, Colonel Collison service was instrumental ensuring that you and your family inherited a stronger nation in a safer world during these years who provided unwavering and unconditional support. Your selfless dedication and sacrifices reflect great credit upon yourself on the Washington National Guard given under my hand this 24th day of July 2020 Bread Di Dougherty, Major General, The object in general Lieutenant Colonel Collison would like to present gifts to his family to show his appreciation. Brigadier General Welsh would like to present the Washington Air National Guard commanders coin to Colonel Collison. The Washington Air National Guard headquarters staff has a gift to present to Colonel Collison. Colonel calls his wife, Veronica has a gift to present. Ladies and gentlemen, it is my distinct pleasure to present to you. Lieutenant Colonel Rick Collison, United States Air Force retired. So just thank you for everyone for being here. I don’t usually if you’ve ever seen me do these things. I don’t usually read, but I just didn’t want to forget anybody or anything today. So I’m going to use my notes. So thank you so much for coming out today, General Welsh, your kind words, they mean a lot to me. And we do go back a ways. And and, uh, you’ve always been a leader that we could trust and believe in and that I always absolutely, I knew that I was gonna get the truth, Um, and that it was gonna be the right thing. You’ve seen me in the Washington Guard through some difficult times. Some of those first days were a little tough. One for Scott here. So, uh, rightfully beginning you were just straight up and honest with me. And thank you, sir, for your leadership. Until a team that put the ceremony together Great job and thank you, Tammy Stretch. Colonel Abbott, who absolutely insisted on perfection as she always does. Chief Boydston, CMS, Sergeant Milton and my running partner back there. Don Smith, with the headphones on. Yeah, sometimes. Ready, partner. Um, to my family, to my wife, who has literally been my backbone and just unwavering support for these past years. Your belief in me and the guard made me a better commander, Better officer and certainly a better executive officer. Um, thank you for the help on those some of those documents. Sometimes that I was that I couldn’t quite get right. So I appreciate that. Uh, so my Children who put up with me for more than two decades put up with more than two decades of deployments TD y’s late nights. Remember when it was what is just us, Just us three. You had to grow up early and be responsible for yourself and our household. And so thank you for that. I do want to say, though, um, when I was to do Why those parties? Yeah, those were unauthorized. Anyway. Didn’t think I knew about this, huh? Anyway, um, seriously, though I never worried. And I always came home to a clean house, and you’d met all of your obligations with school and your extracurricular activities. So thank you to my in laws. Thank you for raising two wonderful daughters and for making me part of the Keithley family. Erica, you’re an amazing sister to Veronica, and I’m always impressed with your five wonderful Children If you don’t know the back story, we never would have met if it wasn’t for the fifth child. So thank you. Um, yeah, if you’re gonna be, ah, homeschool parents. Good to be a former college professor and a husband who is an engineer at Boeing. So, yeah, those kids are being raised. Well, Ah, so I’ve been very blessed and lucky in my career. And they say luck is when opportunity meets preparation on guy. Think that’s true. But for me, sometimes it’s been when opportunity met preparation H but a different story, different sorts. I had to throw one in. All right, um, anyway, so I just want to close, uh, by saying, Please take care of yourself. You know how important every one of you are to me? Uh, and more importantly, most importantly, take care of each other. Thank you. Again. This concludes today’s ceremony. Brigadier General Welsh would like to ask everyone to join him and congratulating Colonel Collison and his family for their many contributions to the defense of our country. With social distancing in mind, please enjoy the light refreshments provided please remain standing for the departure of the official party in the playing of the airport song