Duty, honor, country herald Armed Forces Day Published May 21, 2010 By Airman 1st Class Adawn Kelsey 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Sheppard's celebration of Armed Forces Day included a parade and retirement ceremony for one of its members, who served a 30 year career in the Air Force. Brig. Gen. O.G. Mannon, 82nd Training Wing commander, officiated the retirement ceremony of Col. Marcia Rossi, 82nd TRW Director of Staff and presented her with the Legion of Merit medal. During his comments the general highlighted some of Colonel Rossi's assignments and said he admired her for her trustworthiness, not only at Sheppard but throughout her entire career. "Colonel Rossi has shown a high level of trust throughout her career in the Air Force" the general said. "Although she is retiring she will always be part of the Air Force Family." As Colonel Rossi approached the podium to give her last speech as the Director of Staff, she looked upon the attendees and the troops positioned on the parade field and said it reminded her that although it is a personal decision to wear a military uniform, it is the team that makes the mission successful. "As I look out at all of you, three ideals are foremost in my mind: duty, honor and country. Maybe that sounds old-fashioned to some, but in the end that is what this journey is about for each of us. My time in the Air Force has been a mix of good times and hard times, challenges and successes," the colonel said. She said although individuals join the military services for different reasons, it is because of the ideals these individuals will continue to serve. "We joined for many different reasons, but we stayed because it was our duty and our honor to serve our country," Col. Rossi said. "It's not the assignments, the promotions or the awards that matter--it's the privilege to serve with others who share these three ideals: duty, honor and country."