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The 21st Theater Sustainment Command held a retreat and retirement ceremony at Panzer Parade Field in Kaiserslautern Aug. 27 to honor the service and careers of three retiring Soldiers.
A retreat ceremony traditionally signals the end of the duty day by lowering the nation’s colors. It is also a way to pay respect to the flag. In Germany, the U.S. and the German colors are honored during retreat.
“It is a distinct honor and privilege to be here and take part in a ceremony, which honors and pays due respect for a lifetime of service to the nation and the Army,” said Col. (Dr.) John Cho, commander of Landstuhl Regional Medical Center. “I believe in fate and destiny. I believe that there is a reason that these three are on the field today and are being recognized.”
Those reasons are for careers that have spanned at least 20 years, more than two continents, and a list of accomplishments that include such praiseworthy accomplishments as Bronze Stars, Ranger school and multiple deployments.
The rain that drizzled throughout the ceremony had a special significance for one retiree.
“I loved it; it was great,” said Staff Sgt. Robert Eastman, a physical security inspector for U.S. Army Garrison Kaiserslautern’s Provost Marshal’s Office. “There was a little rain, and it was tears from the sky because we’re leaving.”
Sergeant Eastman, a Maine native, will be retiring Sept. 30 after 23 years. He has served in a variety of positions in Germany, the U.S. and Korea.
For Lt. Col. Cliff Serwe, a logistics officer with the logistics sustainment operations division, U.S. Army Europe, his time in the Army in Germany holds a lot of memories.
“It’s been a wonderful place to live and grow, working with a lot of fantastic people doing fantastic work. I really loved it,” he said.
Colonel Serwe, a Wisconsin native, retired July 1 and is serving as the director of the Rhine River Detachment, 838th Transportation Battalion.
California native Sgt. Maj. Steven Thorp, the human resources sergeant major for the 21st Theater Sustainment Command, had a few words for the people he served with.
“Thank you, because the people who I have come into contact with are the ones that have helped me move along and move up,” he said.
He also had some advice for young Soldiers who work in his career field.
“Seek out the hard jobs,” he said. “They’ll pave the way for you.”
Staff Sgt. Deval Blackwood, who is changing duty stations, received a Meritorious Service Medal in recognition for his work while at the 21st TSC.
The 21st TSC holds a retreat and retirement ceremony once a month to recognize the accomplishments of recent retirees.
