That Time my Dad Retired...

Sgt. Leslie Fillmore, Ret.

It's official, ladies and gentlemen.  After 39 years of service, my dad has retired from the military.  For good this time, I swear.  Sergeant Leslie Fillmore, Retired.  His official title now. 

My dad joined the military in 1976 when he was 18.  He's "old school" military.  He joined back in the days when it was okay for your commander to yell at you and call you names.  He started in the infantry, where he stayed for 9 years.  He drove tanks, visited a whole bunch of foreign countries, and drank a shit-ton of beer... oh, the good ol' days!

Rumour has it, my dad applied to both the military and the RCMP.  He got his call for the military, signed up, and within a few weeks, received his letter from the RCMP.  A few weeks shaped the rest of his life, and the life of our family.  The military has been a lifestyle for the Fillmores.  We grew up military, my brother joined the military, and my sister and I married military.  It's a part of all of us.

My dad started in Gagetown, in 1977.  In 1981, he was posted to the now closed Cornwallis base.  In 1990, he was posted to Greenwood, where he spent 20 years, until 2010, when he was posted back to Gagetown.  Five more years in Gagetown, and a final posting back to Greenwood, where he is finally retiring.

This isn't the first time he retired from the military.  After his 20-year contract was up (the first time), he retired at age 39.  He started his new job as the Accountant at Perry Rand Bus Company the week after.  He spent a couple of years there, and then took over as Office Supervisor at Royal LePage Relocation Services, who at the time had the contract for military postings.  After some years there, dad joined the military as a reservist and worked (pretty much full time) in Greenwood until he re-inlisted in 2009, while deployed in Afghanistan.

My dad has been deployed and has travelled more places than we can count.... although I tried to get him to remember most of the places so I could list them here for you:

 

 

Afghanistan

Bermuda

Cyprus

Damascus

Germany

Golan Heights

Israel

Pangnirtung

Syria

UAE

 Every province and territory in Canada (except Newfoundland) 

My mom spent a good time of their marriage alone, raising us.  My dad told me the other day that when he married her in June 1980, he dropped her off at their PMQ and immediately deployed for 8 months.  She's "old school" too, when wives didn't complain about deployments, and you carried on and lived your life the best you could.  She said her toughest deployment was dad's last, to Afghanistan.  By then, we were all grown up, and didn't "need" her anymore.  She was truly alone for that deployment, and made dad promise it would be his last.  At the age of 51, he agreed. 

My dad is also "old school" in the fact that NCM's (non-commissioned members) didn't associate with Officers.  With his son an Officer, and now Danny working his way to being an Officer (currently an Officer Cadet), it makes one wonder if, perhaps, Dad is retiring before he is required to salute his son-in-law before eating dinner at night - just kidding dad, we would have only made you do that for fancy Sunday brunches.

My dad has enough stories about his career to fill an entire library.  At least once or twice a week, something will remind him of something, and we often hear, "When I was overseas..." He experienced many cultures, many countries, many war zones, and many culinary adventures.  From war zones, to peace keeping for the UN, he will be the old man sitting in the legion in 30 years that you're going to want to talk to while drinking a cold beer (or 5).
 

After getting posted back to Greenwood this spring, my dad was offered the opportunity to take a civilian job on base here in Greenwood.  Accepting this position meant that he could work past 60 if he wanted... and grow a beard (watch for it, mom!).  So, although my dad retired today, he starts his new job tomorrow.   Typical Leslie... not ready to stop just yet. 

Today was the last day he put on his uniform, and I think everyone should know what this man has contributed to his family, his community, and his country, over the past 39 years.  He is a true military hero, and we couldn't be prouder of him!  Congratulations on your (almost) retirement, dad!! xox

He walked out of the house this morning for the last time with this uniform on!