?Oregon National Guard Sgt. First Class David "Tommy" Houston ended a 25-year military career Tuesday morning in a meeting room in the Corvallis Armory.
In contrast to the showy sendoff for retiring Maj. Gen. Raymond F. Rees in Salem Saturday, Houston's ceremony consisted of a small group of friends and family, a few war stories and a set of handshakes and hugs.
Houston, 45, who started his military career in the Navy, has deployed to the Philippines, Okinawa, Iraq and elsewhere. He's been an aircraft door gunner, a recruiter and a resiliency/reintegration staffer. He and his wife Jennifer and their three kids are retiring to six acres in Monroe, Ore., where they will raise goats and chickens.While much of the ceremony focused on Houston's military career, it also shone a light on his wife, Jenn, his son Brennan and his daughters, Emily and Addison, a toddler.
A highlight came when Tommy Houston presented a bouquet to his teen-aged daughter, Emily, with thanks and an apology for missing so many moments in her life.
"I appreciate your tolerance," he told her.
"She suffered the most" from his absences, Houston explained later.
Among the keepsakes and honors Houston received Tuesday was the Army Commendation Medal and an encased flag that was flown over the U.S. Capitol.The ceremony lasted about a half-hour, and then the group mingled and talked over deli wraps and cans of soda. Then they dispersed, returning to armories, offices and homes in Corvallis, Monroe, Salem, Portland and elsewhere.
-Mike Francis
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