Hi, I will share something with you all, since it has been so quiet. I retired in March with 32 years of service. I had a ceremony this past weekend, with 50 CPOs, close family and other shipmates. Highlight was a three dimension cake in the form of a submarine, coming out of the water blowing its ballast (pretty impressive), made by my Culinary Specialist First Class, and of course the attendance of many CPOs, active and retired. I couldn't decide on the sidebuoys, so I had all 50. After the piping they all turned and sang Anchors Aweigh, and then I presented each with a bottle of grog (wine) made by a friend, for the ceremony with an STGCM retirement grog label. My flag was from the USS ANZIO, because my father was a purple heart from the Battle of Anzio. Only sad thing was that my nehpew who is on a carrier could not attend. I have been blessed with a wonderful career, and will get my first retirement check this month (early due to deployment time). I was active from 80-88 with tours in CVB, Argentia and then RTF Dam Neck. In the Reserves, it was a mixture of Sub-Tenders, Destroyer Squadron, SEA Facilitator, NAVACTS UK, Deployment etc. It was definitely an adventure.
STGCM Paula Anne Lichvar

Fare winds and following seas Paula. I believe we were together at Arg in the 1982 to 1984 time frame. Now you are beginning the "good life", but never forget those "great Navy days". Best of luck in all your future endeavors.

Master Chief (Paula),

I have tried several times to pen a note but have failed to find the right words to express how much you will be missed and how much your contributions to the Navy have meant. Your leadership, professionalism, dedication and enthusiasm are well known throughout the Navy. We can never adequately express our appreciation or gratitude and saying thank you seems completely inadequate. Please know you will be missed. I wish I could have been at your ceremony; I've never seen 50 CPOs singing Anchor's Aweigh together! Please know that if I could have been there I would have. Good luck with whatever you choose to do and do not hesitate to let me know if there is anything that I can do for you. Sincerely, Jim Donovan, CAPT, USN (Ret)

I attended the Ceremony on Saturday. It was very entertaining and true to Paula. I have never seen so many Chiefs in one place before. She had done a lot during her career and it was reflected in the comments by other Master Chiefs and Senior Chiefs that spoke. I was honored to represent the IUSS system and be mentioned by name during her speech.

Jim, you did not want to hear that rendition of Anchor's Aweigh.

TOM

Congratulations on a fine career. I can tell you from experience you will never forget the time spent.
I also must add that if the Chief's were off key it was for the lack of enough grog.
Fair winds and following seas.
Marshall

Congratulations Paula. Thank you for your service to the nation and your fellow shipmates. The most difficult part of retirement is the sadness at not being with friends and shipmates that came to mean so much during active duty. Military men and women are truly the most special people in America.

May you forever sail in calm seas and remember how sweet it was to serve with those who really cared about their country.

"All who serve deserve their time of glory. Not the glory of marching bands or newspaper interviews, but the glory of knowing, in their hearts and for all time, that they had done something important and good." - Lt Col Henry A. Mucci, January 1945, The Philippine Islands.