Best wishes to Les on his retirement from the Navy!

[Natasha]

Hi all,

As many of you know from previous threads, one of our BBers, Les (Ferguson) is retiring from the Navy to start studies at a theological seminary. As his retirement is now upon us, I thought I'd start a thread to offer congratulations. I know many of us know Les through the HLSG and VRB threads, but he has been a strong presence on all three boards (Great Food, Healthy Living, and Other Stuff) for several years now.

Les, congratulations on your retirement, and all the best with your new endeavours!! Oh, and my husband also adds his best wishes :)

Natasha

[Kristilyn1]

Usually when people retire you wish them well with golfing or traveling or whatever leisure activities they have planned......but I guess with you--we'll wish you well in your future new career!

Kristi

[Meganator]

Best wishes, Les! And thanks for your many years of service to our country!

Megan

[Kathy B]

Congratulations Les!

Wishing you a memorable day, and a great start to a new life journey! :)

[misskitty100]

Congratulations!!! Very exciting times ahead for you!!!:D

[badunnin]

Congratulations Les! In the words of Neil Young, long may you run. :)

[Robyn1007]

Congratulations Les! I know you will be superb in your new calling, heck, if you lived near me I might consider attending your church instead of a Catholic church as I know you will bring much inspiration, knowledge and love to your parishoners.

[SandyM]

Les - my very best to you and your LW as you begin this new chapter in your life.

Also, my deepest gratitude for the time you spent serving our country with pride and dedication.

Congratulations, God bless you, and best of luck! :)

[SueK]

Congrats and best wishes Les!

[kwormann]

Best Wishes Les!

[tamawrite]

Congratulations, Les, and thank you for your service both past and future.

God bless,

Tamara

[RunnerKim]

Best Wishes, Les!

Kim

[ellery]

Best wishes Les! :) :) :)

Leah

[SusanMac]

Congrats! Your family must be really proud of your accomplishments...and also what lies ahead for you! Very exciting stuff.

[MNGirlTX]

Les - best wishes to you and your LW as you begin a new chapter in your lives!

[IndyKF]

Congratulations and best wishes!

[varybarry]

Best wishes and congratulations Les!

[Alethea]

Congratulations Les! Best wishes in this new adventure!

[TKay]

Wow, well done. Enjoy the next phase of your life!

[Canice]

Congratulations, Les, on your retirement from one career and having the courage to set out in an entirely new direction. You will be just wonderful.

[lisas3575]

Congratulations, Les, and thank you for your service. Cheers to your new adventures! :)

[Melman]

Les, congratulations on your retirement and on the beginning of your new career. You're an inspiration to us all.

[KimE]

Les,
Congrads!!! What a wonderful new choice for you.

Kim

[Laura]

Congratulations Les!!!!!!!!!!!!

I know this day is filled with many emotions for you, but I am so happy for you and LW and your new chosen career.

[oceanjasper]

Congratulations Les! May you be filled with peace in your decision to follow a new path. All the best to you and your DW.

[TieKitty]

Congratulations and best wishes to you, Les.

Having a son in the military I know what sacrifices you've had to make during your career. Thank you so much!!

[Valerie226]

Congrats Les. Hope you enjoy your new career!

[gertdog]

Many congratulations and best wishes for the future!

[ccooney]

Wooohooo! Way to go, Les!
And best wishes with the theology studies. :)
Connie

[Terri_A]

Les,

Congratulations on your retirement and my many thank yous for all you have done to serve. I know the path you have chosen will serve you as well. God bless, and know that someone in Texas is praying for you!

[Deechef]

Congratuations and enjoy the journey to your new career :)

[seathyme]

Didn't see this before posting the same on the new VRB thread -- but will certainly add an enthusiastic "Congratulations!" here. Well done, and may you find a whole new set of joys and satisfactions in the next phase of life.:)

[Kay Henderson]

Congratulations and thank you for making all of us safer. May your future be rewarding!

Kay

[mom2garret]

Les, a very sincere THANK YOU for all your hard work and dedication in the service. It is people like you that make it a little easier raising my DS. You obviously have a desire to help others, and I wish you the very best on the next phase of your life. I have never met you and probably will never have the chance, but I can tell you have a beautiful heart and soul. Thank you again and I can only end it as you would.........
Peace......................
Jodi <insert puffy heart here> :)

[wallycat]

Les,
I wish you many, many years of fulfillment on your new journey!

[beckms]

Warmest congratulations, Les! :cool:

[Leslie Ferguson]

Words cannot express my sincerest thanks to you. The day ran the full extent of emotion: pride, tears of joy, tears of sorrow, having a lump in my throat, getting a huge hug from my father who commissioned me 22 years ago and has followed my growth as both a friend and a man. LW summed up the day with:

Those people who knew you as the meticulous, dedicated, and devoted Naval Officer got to see a glimpse into your soul and life that showed them there is truly more to a successful career in the Navy than just pursuit of the Navy goal. And at the same time your friends who live in your running world and your church world got a glimpse of another facet of your dedication to duty and service to others.

I was told by a dear friend that they overheard a comment at my retirement that everyone was moved in some manner and many of the "strong ones" were in awe.

I think the biggest thing to me was having my whole family hug me and tell me how proud they were of me. They all (all 8 from outside Norfolk) drove at least 4 hours in the southeast Virginia thunderstorms to get here yesterday.

To read all your comments and receive your good wishes has made my day again. I thank you all for your prayers, your friendship, and your continued support of my next calling.

I hope that I do get to meet you all some day and have faith that we will. As I found out today, the world is a big place but the people who live in it form a very small circle that overlaps in so many ways.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you again and my prayers for peace and blessings upon you all today, tomorrow, and in all you do.

Peace,
Les

[generic]

Congratulations, Les, on your completion of this phase of your life. I'm sure you had a lot of mixed feelings when the long-anticipated day finally arrived.
You and your family have much to be proud of, not the least of which is your choice to lead a life of service rather than selfishness. You have served your country and now you will serve your congregation. How exciting to have another goal already in progress, rather than feeling at loose ends as some folks do upon retirement.

Best wishes to you and Kathy as you embark on your new adventure! :)

[JMM74]

Coming from a current lifer submarine wife with 10 left to go...

CONGRATS!!! :D :D :D

Best wishes on your life after Navy!

Adding... Your happiness and pride in your work sounds well deserved. I never used to be one to swell with pride, or look on certain accomplishments as particularly grand - but yea, they are. I know (as a wife) how hard you guys have to work to gain what you do.

many of the "strong ones" were in awe

Only the strong can handle Norfolk. :lol :D

[leightx]

Congrats Les - and many good wishes on the new adventures ahead! :)

[cher48603]

Les,

Congrats (again). :D Hope you're taking a day or two to kick back and relax. You definitely deserve it.

[karen w]

CONGRATULATIONS, LES!! Sounds like it was a memorable day to end a remarkable career and begin an exciting new journey. Best wishes to you.

Karen

[SusanL]

More good wishes, coming your way! Congrats!!

[mom2garret]

Les, it sounds like the perfect ending to a perfect career, and the perfect beginning to another one!
Bless You..................

[jmarie]

I know I am late...but I wish you the very best!

Good luck and prayers for your new vocation:D !

God speed
Joyce

[Beth]

From one branch of service to another, congratulations and best of luck. I know you'll do well.

[LakeMartinGal]

Best wishes and congratulations, Les!:)