Georgia native retires after 23 years

Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Victoria Mejicanos | 170125-N-XP344-0085 NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVTIY BAHRAIN (Jan. 25, 2017) Chief Hospital Corpsman Angela Harrell receives a folded national ensign from Chief Information Technician Specialist Antonnea Thompson during Harrell's retirement ceremony held in the base chapel aboard Naval Support Activity Bahrain. Harrell, the force preventive medicine technician at U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and U.S. 5th Fleet, retires after 23 years of service. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Victoria Kinney)  

NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY BAHRAIN, BAHRAIN

01.26.2017

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Victoria Mejicanos 

U.S. Naval Forces Central Command / U.S. 5th Fleet           

Harrell, the force preventive medicine technician at U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and U.S. 5th Fleet, hadn’t planned on having a ceremony in Bahrain, but it turned out to be the best possible ending of her long career.

“I have met so many wonderful people all over the world, and coming to Bahrain was one of the best decisions I could have made to end my time in the military,” said Harrell.

Her goal was to continue to serve diligently and quietly in her small office space, she said, and then have a small farewell when leaving for home to her daughters and granddaughter where she would have a small retirement ceremony.

Her “brothers and sisters” in Bahrain, however, would not let her go quietly. Instead, they planned and coordinated an entire ceremony which resulted in a packed chapel and a seamless service.

The ceremony, while simple and traditional, was filled with meaning for Harrell. The officer presiding over her ceremony was someone whom she served under for many years and the event included a flag-passing ceremony with Sailors ranging in rank from seamen apprentice to chief petty officer, each a rank she held during her naval career. During the ceremony, she followed a time-honored tradition by bequeathing her anchor to a first class petty officer.
Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Osvaldo Diaz, the recipient of the anchor, made sure to put his personal touches on the ceremony by reciting “The Watch” by memory. “The Watch” is a reading commonly used at retirement ceremonies that honors the sacrifices a Sailor makes to serve in the Navy

“I was determined to do it justice,” said Diaz. “It was an honor and a privilege to be able to recite and do her proud. There was no way, no how that I was going to let her down. She's my chief.”

Harrell’s tours of duty included tours at Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune, Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, U.S. Naval Hospital Okinawa, and USS Kearsarge (LHD 3).

During the ceremony, she shared advice from her years of service. Her top guidance: consider the other side of situations. She recalled that on many occasions where a Sailor was in trouble and facing possible discipline, she found that listening to their story, she could make sure they got whatever help they needed. While she could not spare the Sailor from having to face the music for their actions, it did better facilitate care and treatment for the individual, which has been a goal for her.

Harrell has earned a Joint Commendation Medal, two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, five Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, and various other awards. She plans on retiring in Triangle, Va. with her two daughters and granddaughter, and though she will retire her uniform, she promises to never retire her anchors.

“Hopefully, I have left my footprints for others to follow and have set the example of following the
Navy's ethos and core values,” said Harrell. “It has been an awesome journey.”

For further questions, please contact U.S. Naval Forces Central Command Public Affairs Office
011-973-1785-4562 or [e-mail]

• Date Taken: 01.26.2017
• Date Posted: 02.14.2017 09:40
• Story ID: 223478
• Location: NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY BAHRAIN, BH