Huntsville to Honor Service Heroes at Upcoming Retirement Ceremony on December 2

Huntsville to Honor Service Heroes in Retirement Ceremony

Huntsville is gearing up for a heartfelt gathering as it prepares to pay tribute to remarkable military members and dedicated government civilians wrapping up their careers. The quarterly retirement ceremony is set for December 2 and will run from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Bob Jones Auditorium, located in the Sparkman complex on Martin Road.

A Celebration of Service

Bryan Copeland, the community readiness and resiliency integrator from Garrison’s Directorate of Human Resources, emphasized the significance of this event. “We want to recognize all military and government civilians from all the tenant unit organizations who contributed to our warfighters and the overall success of their organization’s mission,” he said. The ceremony will celebrate the hard work and commitment of eight honorees, each of whom has devoted years of their life to serve the country and community.

Meet the Honorees

This time around, the spotlight will shine on:

• Col. Preston Ronnie
• Lt. Col. Doris Haynes
• Master Sgt. Armando Torres
• Sgt. 1st Class LaSunda Hutchinson
• William Zaharis
• John London
• Archie Scott
• Anne Martin

Among these retirees is Anne Martin, who has spent nearly a quarter century serving as a medical support assistant for the Family Advocacy Program at Fox Army Health Center. After 24 years of dedicated service and 14 years at Fox since relocating to Huntsville from Fort Riley, Kansas, Anne is ready to embrace her next chapter whenever her last day rolls around: January 31, 2025.

What’s Next for the Retirees?

Reflecting on her time with the U.S. government, she said, “It has been a privilege to work for the U.S. government in various capacities but it’s time to go on to greener pastures.” It’s this kind of sentiment that echoes through the hearts of many as they transition from their military or civilian roles.

The upcoming retirement ceremony is designed to recognize those who have served between May and December 2024. Each honoree received an invitation to formally be acknowledged at this noteworthy event. The Directorate of Human Resources is coordinating all aspects of the ceremony as part of an initiative endorsed by the Redstone senior commander. It’s worth noting that this isn’t just a one-time event; the first ceremony was successfully held on April 25, and it’s clear that there’s a growing appreciation for honoring our service members.

Join the Celebration!

The community is encouraged to support their local heroes as they conclude their dedicated time serving and transitioning into new adventures. Whether you are a family member, colleague, or simply a supporter of our military and civilian workforce, your presence would surely make a difference in celebrating these incredible individuals.

Mark your calendars for December 2, and join the camaraderie as Huntsville shows its appreciation for those who have selflessly dedicated their careers for the nation’s safety and well-being. After all, it’s not every day you get to participate in such a heartwarming event filled with pride, history, and so many great memories!

Let’s help send these heroes off with all the respect and gratitude they deserve!