F/Sgt. Steele
26th April 2005, 18:21
well, this seems to be a familiar re-occuring thread, but this one is mine. Tonight, as some of you may have known, was my last night as a cadet. A bitter sweet end, but a bright begining. and, thus it being my last night, i just had to give a nice speach, for which i accualy prepared. so here' ya go. enjoy.
My retirement speech
Well, this is the end. And a bittersweet symphony it is. I am sad because I am leaving, and because I didn’t achieve everything I wished to. Yet, I am happy because I am embarking upon something new, opening a new chapter in my life and because I’m one step closer to my life’s goal.
The past six years have had their moments of disappointment, angst, frustration boredom and doubt with instances of joy, pleasure, happiness and excitement thrown in. I leave these doors a different man than I used to be, for I owe a part of who I am to this place, and it, a part to me.
This place, is special. There are few other places where you can explore and not feel the wrath of the outside world, few others where you can learn so much… and remember that it’s free.
Juniors, you are in a pivotal moment in your life and cadet career. Your actions determine what will happen to you later on; don’t take this place for granted. Its memory is longer than you think. Respect your seniors & staff, and follow their orders. Don’t question their authority, they didn’t earn their positions by being idiots. They know more than you do, figure it out and fall in line. They’re not here to baby sit you, but to help and guide you along the way. There is a point where their responsibility ends, and yours begins.
Seniors, well what can I say. I’ve been one for too long and since -most of the time- we all know what we’re doing, I don’t have any advice for you except for this: don’t do anything with your cadets that would cause their parents to freak out. And, that you have more power to influence than you may realize; that power is not to be taken for granted.
So, to sum it up I have these few last things to say: lead by example, never pass a fault, you get out what you put in, be confidant but not cocky, strong but flexible, serious but slack and lead first, follow second.
If you wish to say goodbye to me, you better do it tonight as it is likely you won’t see me again. I will be shortly leaving to plant trees in the noth of this province for two months, and unfortunately that means I will miss annual dinner, and annual itself. Afterwards, in the fall I will be attending Trent University in Peterborough, and my existence in London will cease except for the holidays. But, tonight is not the last night I will be wearing a uniform, for it won’t be long before these chevrons turn into gold bars and a set of wings rest upon my chest. So my friends, as Jim Carrey said it, good afternoon, good evening and goodnight. Godspeed everyone, Godspeed.
My retirement speech
Well, this is the end. And a bittersweet symphony it is. I am sad because I am leaving, and because I didn’t achieve everything I wished to. Yet, I am happy because I am embarking upon something new, opening a new chapter in my life and because I’m one step closer to my life’s goal.
The past six years have had their moments of disappointment, angst, frustration boredom and doubt with instances of joy, pleasure, happiness and excitement thrown in. I leave these doors a different man than I used to be, for I owe a part of who I am to this place, and it, a part to me.
This place, is special. There are few other places where you can explore and not feel the wrath of the outside world, few others where you can learn so much… and remember that it’s free.
Juniors, you are in a pivotal moment in your life and cadet career. Your actions determine what will happen to you later on; don’t take this place for granted. Its memory is longer than you think. Respect your seniors & staff, and follow their orders. Don’t question their authority, they didn’t earn their positions by being idiots. They know more than you do, figure it out and fall in line. They’re not here to baby sit you, but to help and guide you along the way. There is a point where their responsibility ends, and yours begins.
Seniors, well what can I say. I’ve been one for too long and since -most of the time- we all know what we’re doing, I don’t have any advice for you except for this: don’t do anything with your cadets that would cause their parents to freak out. And, that you have more power to influence than you may realize; that power is not to be taken for granted.
So, to sum it up I have these few last things to say: lead by example, never pass a fault, you get out what you put in, be confidant but not cocky, strong but flexible, serious but slack and lead first, follow second.
If you wish to say goodbye to me, you better do it tonight as it is likely you won’t see me again. I will be shortly leaving to plant trees in the noth of this province for two months, and unfortunately that means I will miss annual dinner, and annual itself. Afterwards, in the fall I will be attending Trent University in Peterborough, and my existence in London will cease except for the holidays. But, tonight is not the last night I will be wearing a uniform, for it won’t be long before these chevrons turn into gold bars and a set of wings rest upon my chest. So my friends, as Jim Carrey said it, good afternoon, good evening and goodnight. Godspeed everyone, Godspeed.