A DAY TO HONOR LTC DREW BISSELL RETIRED (De Oppresso LIber (to liberate the oppressed)

Special Forces Insignia/Motto

LTC Drew Bissell, Retired, and Family

Jill Get's An Award

It' almost 7:00 here in Bristow, overcast, as I sit on the couch, Coco, snuggling agains my leg. Both Drew and Jill are up as well, Drew having already watered the flowers and lawn, getting ready for tonight's big party to celebrate his retirement from the Special Forces.

Yesterday was a day to remember, and everyone was up early.  Drew left at 4:30 a.m., for Ft. Belvoir, to get in his last run on base, the rest of us got dressed up, the girls primped,  packed the car with sandwiches and drinks, and were off by 9:00.  It's about an hour ride to the base, through some amazing areas of million dollar plus homes set back to heavy wooded Occoquan area.  The base is a surprise, at least what we saw, a half mile drive from the main gate through wooded areas, criss crossed with trails.  We arrived at what looked like an industrial complex, actually an old tank storage building I was told, with two foot concrete floors.  This is where DARWA is head quartered, where Drew has worked.  Inside, the guys had set up a podium and chairs in what looked like a large garage, nothing fancy.

Drew's Two Mentors,  His Dad, Brigadier General, Mike Bissell, Retired, and LTC Terrence  Caliguire

We got to meet many of the guys before and after the ceremony.  The ceremony was quite nice, military formal, despite the modest surroundings, with a short speech about Drew by his commanding officer, then Drew spoke, about all the people who had been influential in his life, especially his family, Dad and Mom, siblings, and of course, Jill and the girls.  It was short and sweet, but everyone was moved by his words.  He was then presented with many plaques, a flag, and even Jill was given a framed award, recognizing the stress of being an Army wife and mom.

LTC Bissell Addressing The Gathering

Drew With Commanding Officer

Two Special Girls

Jill With Drew's Army Friends

The ceremony ended with the playing of "The Ballad of the Green Berets," and the Army fight song.   We then adjourned, the food and drinks  and cake were already set up, so people mingled, ate, and generally enjoyed themselves.  Lots of Drew's friends from both the present and past were there, some from high school, others from his early Army days, and of course, many from the 10th Group, his Special Forces unit.  It was a modest way to end a career after twenty two years of service to his country.  Few understand the sacrifices that guys like Drew make to keep us safe here at home.  Close to eighty people were there yesterday to thank him.

Granny and Hayden

The Lovely Halle

Drew and family said their farewells to their friends around 1:30, as many of the  guys had to get back to work.  I drove home with Drew, Evie with Jill and the girls.  When we got home, we were all tired out from the morning, no surprise, so we just hung out the rest of the day though Drew cut the lawn and did some work getting things ready for the party tonight.  Jill and the girls had stopped at a couple of stores on the way home, so Jill put together the makings for a Sangria, getting it ready ahead of time. Around 5:30, we moved outside on the deck, having a couple of beers, enjoying the cooling evening. At 7:00, we got tired of leftover turkey wraps, and ordered a couple of pizzas.  We ate the pizza outside, the girls devouring it,  and we ended the day, sitting outside till 9:00, before deciding to go in and get the girls ready for bed.  We were all exhausted, ready for bed by 10:00.

Lots of trips to various stores today to get ready for tonight, a party of around seventy five.  It should be great fun.

Here's to Lieutenant Colonel Drew Bissell, Retired

Ballad Of The Green Berets

Written by SSgt Barry Sadler

Fighting soldiers from the sky
Fearless men who jump and die
Men who mean just what they say
The brave men of the Green Beret

Silver wings upon their chest
These are men, America's best
One hundred men we'll test today
But only three win the Green Beret

Trained to live, off nature's land
Trained in combat, hand to hand
Men who fight by night and day
Courage deep, from the Green Beret

Silver wings upon their chest
These are men, America's best
One hundred men we'll test today
But only three win the Green Beret

Back at home a young wife waits
Her Green Beret has met his fate
He has died for those oppressed
Leaving her this last request

Put silver wings on my son's chest
Make him one of America's best
He'll be a man they'll test one day
Have him win the Green Beret

---

The Green Beret

The men of the Special Forces are masters of their profession,
the profession of arms.

Theirs is more than a job or an occupation.
It is a way of life that requires
a personal commitment found nowhere
else in society. Its obligation is
dedication...it's demands, duty and
loyalty...it's principle, integrity
...and its reward, personal satisfaction.

Their countrymen see them as the
epitome of the American fighting man.
Their badge of distinction is the
Green Beret known and respected worldwide.

They wear it proudly!