The security was tight, the parade field like a sponge, the soldiers lean and straight and the Office of the Secretary of Defense not represented on this momentous day.  During his 38 years as a soldier, General Eric (Ric) Shinseki became the highest-ranking Asian-American in United States military history.  On the 11^th of June, 38 years and two days after his West Point Class, the class of 1965--Strength and Drive, graduated and went on to serve this nation around the globe we returned to pay homage to our humble classmate who was fond of introducing himself by saying: "My name is Shinseki, and I am a soldier." He also often used this introduction as a way of poking fun at his reputation for avoiding public statements.
On this muggy day the class of 1965 came together and were proud of Ric's ability to endure the heat where three of the younger soldiers had to be helped off the parade field.  It was an emotional day for him and for us.  He was saying good by to an Army he had served so well and the soldiers that he loves.  He was thanking many people, including his classmates who could often sneak messages of support to him after 9-11 and during his struggles with Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld, whose office's representation was significant in it's absence.  The defense secretary did not attend the ceremony because he was traveling in Europe en route to a NATO meeting.  He did not mention Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld in his parting remarks. He did warn against cuts in the fighting force. "Our soldiers and families bear the risk and the hardship of carrying a mission load that exceeds what force capabilities we can sustain," he said.
Following over three hours in a receiving line saying good-by to current and retired generals, soldiers of all ranks, and friends Ric and Patty joined the class in a private reception.  A rousing round of applause met them, as they entered the room full of appreciative comrades.  Ric remained unwilling to cast stones at Secretary Rumsfeld and his cohort. He reminded us that character assassination was the "blood sport" of Washington. His selfless devotion to the Army and to soldiers was dramatized by his explanation that today was unique in two ways--it was the last day that he would put his dog tags on in the morning and the first time in four years that he had worn his rings.  Dog tags will not be required in whatever he does next.  When he became the CSA he took off all of his rings so that he could not be accused of doing something because of his affiliation with any special group--West Point or West Pointers.  There were days that Patti clearly understood that he was married to the Army, but still loved her.  Today his rings were back on.  He did not make any direct rebuttals to all of the flak that he has taken from Secretary Rumsfeld and his office, but he did remark that he didn't know what he was going to do after the Army but it would not have anything to do with numbers.  He obviously wasn't any good at them.  He had said 12 and been forced to eat 10 divisions.  He had said 6 new lighter Brigades, this number was smaller.  He had said several hundred thousand soldiers to pacify Iraq.  This number was obviously incorrect.  His mother had called him from Hawaii to remind him of a math test he had failed in the fourth grade.  The teacher, paraphrasing Deputy Secretary Wolfowitz, had written on the test: "He doesn't understand the numbers."  The appreciative group laughed with him.
Following his informal remarks he shook hands and thanked each classmate personally, by name, for making this a special day for him and Patti. 
Thus ended the career of a soldier who ended his earlier remarks by saying: "There is a magnificent Army out there - - full of pride, discipline, spirit, values, commitment, and passion. General Creighton Abrams reminded us that "Soldiering is an affair of the heart," and it's never been better to be a Soldier. We are a magnificent Army, and the Nation knows it and honors our profession. Soldiers represent what's best about our Army and our Nation - - noble by sacrifice, magnificent by performance, and respected by all. They make us better than we ever expected to be. And for 38 years now, Soldiers have never allowed me to have a bad day.
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