Yesterday, I officially retired from the Marine Corps - 25 years. My time in the Marines was great and I will surely miss it.
My last assignment was supporting the fleet at a Program Office. I worked with mostly a bunch of civilians and contractors with just a few military members in the office (only one other Marine and a handful of sailors). Normally, Marines all chip in and get a going away gift or retirement gift for those departing. Since there weren't a bunch of active duty Marines there, the retired Marines all chipped in and decided to take care of me with a great retirement gift. They got me the below pictured pistol. It is a Rock Island 1911. They also got a reproduction WWII belt and holster to carry it in along with the custom grips. The other side of the grip has a personalized message engraved in it.
My wife had the wooden ammo crate made for me with images of some of my shooting medals. My friends knew me well enough to know that giving me a retirement plaque or shadow box wasn't befitting of my personality. I'm not too sentimental in that way. They got me the pistol knowing that I am an avid shooter and that it would be something that I'd use.
Nice stuff that I thought I'd share.