Congratulations Master Sergeant!
Just last evening my husband and I returned from Biloxi, MS. We were there to celebrate my brother retiring from the Air Force. Even after arriving in Biloxi, MS early Friday morning; I nor my husband, my sister, my cousin, her husband and my other young cousin, realized the ceremony we were about to witness, was just for Master Sergeant Sawyer. We thought it was an event similar to a graduating ceremony where many would be honored. Imagine our surprise and unsurpassed pride when we realized 600 airmen, the Air Force band and a host of other officials were all there just for my brother!
Master Sergeant Thomas E. Sawyer retired with 20 years of service to the United States Air Force. Master Sergeant Sawyer began his illustrious career serving at Eielson AFB in Fairbanks, AL and continued on to Luke AFB in Phoenix, AR; Nellis AFB in Las Vegas, NV; Defense Intelligence Agency in Washington, DC and ending at Keesler AFB in Biloxi, MS.
Never attending a military retirement ceremony, I really didn’t know what to expect. It was beautiful! I had to send him a text to ask how many awards he received. Even he lost count. I assure you, it was many! The professionalism and militant fashion combined with the obvious love, respect and admiration by colleague after colleague was phenomenal! The rituals that go along with these types of formal celebrations were impressive. And the icing on the cake was hearing Master Sergeant Sawyer giving his departing speech filled with thanksgiving to those who held him up along the way, appreciation for those he worked with side by side his last years at Keesler and finally, guidance and encouragement for the young airmen he was leaving behind. There were several times I became emotional myself. I don’t know how he made it through it without a complete breakdown, but he made it! He made it through the speech and he made it through 20 years of selfless service for our United States of America!
With his wife by his side, new baby in his arms, a few college degrees and a lot of experience under his belt, Master Sergeant Sawyer will shed the military titles and move to the next phase of life as just Thomas. It’s been a journey, the kind only Uncle Sam can take you on… but now it’s over!
Help me in saying congratulations to the newly retired Master Sergeant Thomas E. Sawyer! We love you and we are so very proud of you! God bless you on your new journey! We know part two will be just as successful as part one! Enjoy! Holla back!
Wow! What an amazing accomplishment! That is quite an honor to be honored by the U.S. Air Force in your own private ceremony. I teared up just reading it. Congratulations on such a wonderful career and thank you for your service to this country.
Wasn’t it great?! Congrats sweetie! I am extremely proud of you and all of the accolades you received are well-deserved!
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Wish I could have been there, but I will see the dvd. Congrats to him!
Congratulations Tom Sawyer.
CONGRATULATIONS!!
I’m like Kendall, I would have loved to have been there but circumstances just would’nt allow me to be there on your special day. I can’t wait to see the dvd. You’re getting ready to embark on another phase of your life and I know it will be just as rewarding as the previous 20 years. God Bless!
And just think…20 years given, not only for the good of friends and family, but people who hate you for your skin color and people who live right in the country you vowed to protect, but are secretly conspiring to terrorize it.
Your life, no matter where you were stationed, was placed at risk–voluntarily. We owe our peace to you, Master Sergeant Sawyer.
Enjoy your retirement!
I just want to thank Master Sergeant Thomas E. Sawyer for all the years of service he has given to the USA. We will never know the extent of his sacrifice that he made for our country. As we strive to realize the full extent of our Savior’s sacrifice, this side of heaven, let us understand that service to others always means that we lay down our own life and follow the ways of the higher authority. We must take up the cause, and live our life to please God so that we too may hear “Well done thou good and faithful servant”.
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Congratulation MSG Thomas E. Sawyer, I’ve been serving in the United States Army for 23 years and I have never witness a ceremony as GREAT as this for one person retiring. Awesome for you. Your leadership and guidance hopefully would encourage younger Airmen to go on and further their career just a you did. I applaud you and all your endeavors on a great career serving your country faithfully and loyally.
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! The retirement ceremony was outstanding as well as meeting all of the people that obviously love and respect you!! I was as proud of you as only a big sis could be that has admired every phase of your career as you moved from 1 dimension to the next, without missing 1 beat. I never wanted to think about the danger of all you did but I prayed for you and am so grateful to the Lord for His protection and guidance as He allowed you to not only retire but have the high intelligence to know that your education was soooo very important to your future. I pray that your every future endeavor will be blessed!!!!!
I want to thank everyone for all their kind words. Continue to pray for the young men and women who put themselves in danger for our security. Also, pray for those who make key decisions for our troops.
Last Friday was one of, if not the most, enjoyable days of my career. I got a chance to thank co-workers, friends and especially family for helping me through. But before I began all that, I had to acknowledge the blessings and the grace of God.
I also got one last chance to address the young men and women I supervised. I think they understood my day-to-day motives – I gave them what they needed more than what they wanted. They have loved ones who are worried about them and I was placed in the position to instill the discipline in them that would allow them to come home safe. Like all human beings, they are naturally flawed, but there are thousands of 18 year olds, 19 year olds, etc. who raised their hands and said, “I will protect and defend.”
I could go on and on about that job and the people I worked with. It was the best job I had during my career.
I’m going to miss leading them, but the timing was right for my family to move on.
Remember them in your prayers. You don’t need any more specifics to pray for them; just drop a prayer and God will deliver.
This whole things obviously gets me worked up.
Tom Sawyer’s last blog post..Congratulations Master Sergeant!
@Bishop John Fonzer -True words. I would like to hear some of those people answer to this.
Tom Sawyer’s last blog post..Congratulations Master Sergeant!
Congrats uncle!
Congratulations!!!! and THANK YOU!!! for serving our country!!!
sounds as if you served it well.
Congratulations and God Bless you and yours!!!
I thought I would be at a loss for words but the first thing I want to say is, Mom loves! Now who would be saying that if she could? I wish we could have had Grammy there also. It is a very proud moment for the whole family. Your big brother is probably grinning saying look at my baby brother. I am so sorry I missed it also. I hope someone will send me the dvd. Congratulation are in order. You are just outdoing yourself. First you made the first Miss America in the family and now this. May God every bless and keep you and the family in what ever you do next. Stay safe and keep on keeping on. We owe you so much. Thank you!
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Awesome…