thedrifter
06-02-09, 07:31 AM
Monday, June 1, 2009
Simmons Retires After 28 Years in the Marines
Master Gunnery Sergeant Wallace H. Simmons has retired after 28 years in the United States Marine Corps.
Pictured at left: Wally Simmons, Glenna Simmons Padgett and Gary Simmons
Simmons graduated from Chipley High School on May 26, 1981, and reported to MCRD Parris Island, SC, on May 29, 1981, for recruit training. After graduating from recruit training, he reported to Aviation Structures Mechanic "A" school at NAS Millington, Tennessee. Upon graduating from "A" school, Simmons reported to MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina for AV8A Structures Mechanic "C" schools, and afterwards was assigned as an AV8A Structures Mechanic at Cherry Point.
Simmons rose through the ranks, and in August 1995 was promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant. In 1997 he received orders to recruiting duty and was stationed in Birmingham, Alabama. After his tour of recruiting duty he returned to MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina and in October 2004 was selected for promotion to his current rank.
Simmons and his family were fortunate to have spent most of his career stationed at Cherry Point, but that didn't exempt them from the sacrifices of being separated and missing many family milestones. He saw his fair share of deployments, 47 to be exact. These deployments included assignments aboard ships to the North Atlantic, Western Pacific, Mediterranean Sea and numerous stateside deployments for training. In 2003 he deployed with VMA-223 to Operation Iraqi Freedom for combat operations aboard the USS Bataan as part of the "Harrier Carrier."
In May 2008 Simmons graduated summa cum laude from Southern Illinois University with a B.S. Degree in Aviation Management. His awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (3rd Award), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2nd Award) and 15 other campaign and service awards.
Simmons is the son of Wallace and Carolyn Simmons. He married the former Lori Miner from Chipley in May 1984. They have two children, Genie and Alex, and two grandchildren, Carter (two) and Olivia (one month).
"I would like to personally thank my brother-in-law for his honor and dedication to our country," said Amy Simmons, Washington County's veterans service officer. "I commend you for a job well done. Your family is very proud of you!"
http://www.chipleybugle.com/localnewsjun09/junephotos/simmons-1.jpg
Ellie
Simmons Retires After 28 Years in the Marines
Master Gunnery Sergeant Wallace H. Simmons has retired after 28 years in the United States Marine Corps.
Pictured at left: Wally Simmons, Glenna Simmons Padgett and Gary Simmons
Simmons graduated from Chipley High School on May 26, 1981, and reported to MCRD Parris Island, SC, on May 29, 1981, for recruit training. After graduating from recruit training, he reported to Aviation Structures Mechanic "A" school at NAS Millington, Tennessee. Upon graduating from "A" school, Simmons reported to MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina for AV8A Structures Mechanic "C" schools, and afterwards was assigned as an AV8A Structures Mechanic at Cherry Point.
Simmons rose through the ranks, and in August 1995 was promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant. In 1997 he received orders to recruiting duty and was stationed in Birmingham, Alabama. After his tour of recruiting duty he returned to MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina and in October 2004 was selected for promotion to his current rank.
Simmons and his family were fortunate to have spent most of his career stationed at Cherry Point, but that didn't exempt them from the sacrifices of being separated and missing many family milestones. He saw his fair share of deployments, 47 to be exact. These deployments included assignments aboard ships to the North Atlantic, Western Pacific, Mediterranean Sea and numerous stateside deployments for training. In 2003 he deployed with VMA-223 to Operation Iraqi Freedom for combat operations aboard the USS Bataan as part of the "Harrier Carrier."
In May 2008 Simmons graduated summa cum laude from Southern Illinois University with a B.S. Degree in Aviation Management. His awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (3rd Award), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2nd Award) and 15 other campaign and service awards.
Simmons is the son of Wallace and Carolyn Simmons. He married the former Lori Miner from Chipley in May 1984. They have two children, Genie and Alex, and two grandchildren, Carter (two) and Olivia (one month).
"I would like to personally thank my brother-in-law for his honor and dedication to our country," said Amy Simmons, Washington County's veterans service officer. "I commend you for a job well done. Your family is very proud of you!"
http://www.chipleybugle.com/localnewsjun09/junephotos/simmons-1.jpg
Ellie