here's the thing about deenie.'s a better leader than i am. she has far more energy than einstein predicted could be packed into a 5'2" body. and she has shown an amazing patience during the trials that accompany a military life. in every way, she's made me a better person. because this has been her career just as much as mine. it's fitting and proper to say that we are both retiring today. congratulations, deenie sullivan dempsey. so i'm almost out of water to choke back the emotion which means i must be near the end. what we're really doing today is transferring our passion for the standard u.s. army nine-man infantry squad to our own squad of nine adorable, talented and exceptional grandchildren. they are, in order of seniority, kayla, mckenna, luke, alexander, hunter, finley, braden, samuel and david. now, if you want to know what our principal goal in retirement will be, it's to be the best grandparents we can be. now, lest they think we've forgotten them in the flesh of affection for our grandchildren, i shou

deenie dempsey on the occasion of the retirement of your spouse from the united states army.voted service. your unfailing support and understanding helped make possible your spouse's lasting contribution to the nation. >> honor guard, attention. >> ladies and gentlemen, please stand for the posting of the colors. ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >> ladies and gentlemen, please be seated. ladies and gentlemen, secretary carter. >> pause a moment, all of us. pause, behold this sight in front of you. so magnificent, so proud. they out on that field represent the millions of men and women who make america's military the finest fighting force the world has ever known. [ applause ] president obama, so many distinguished guests and elected officials, your presence with us here today signifies the awesome responsibility reposed in the office of the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff which we're about to transfer from general marty dempsey to general joe dunford. the current chairman shares with me the duty to love and respect those who defend this country. to advise the commander in chief with candor, c

deeny, we thank you for finding marty during your days at gushian high school and sharing with him the serve and no fewer than nine grandchildren an irishman indeed. now to the other irishman dunford, every marine considers the best job in the military coming down to the marine corps, but first, and foremost to ellen, ellen has been joeys rock-solid foundation for more than three decades, support for military families and wounded warriors is personal. the rest of joeys family, three children, joseph and pat and catherine have supported. i want to give ellen a special word of appreciation, and here is why. she was just settling in to her duties as the common wife when a different calling came .. humble, strong, centered, always faithful to his people and mission. the operational acuity of the battle hardened commander, and the strategic wisdom of a statesman. we saw that clearly during joe's timely u.s. and allied troops as a nato-isaf commander. we saw his compassion in handwritten condolences sent to families of the fallen. we saw his tenacity in the way he managed dealing with presid