CWO5 Ralph E. Rigby; last draftee retires
MCPO Ret. In TN sends us a link to the story about Chief Warrant Officer 5 Ralph E. Rigby, the last continuously serving Army draftee, who is retiring after 42 years of service.
At the young age of 19, joining the Army was far from his life plans. He was clueless as to what would be in store for him. His first response to the notice was, “I don’t have to put up with this! I can just move to Canada like everyone else, and avoid all of this,” he said jokingly. On the other hand, his mom, Dorothy Rigby, wasn’t going to allow this to happen. Her exact words to him were, “No way! You are not a quitter,” she said. “We do not quit in this family.”
Dorothy was scared that her son had to serve, but her daily prayers reassured her that he would come back home safely. With his mother’s advice, Rigby set out on his military journey.
“I took my mother’s words and kept on going,” said Rigby. “After all, being drafted was the closest I have come to winning the lottery.”
So, 42 years later it ends.
Category: Real Soldiers
The end of an era……Bravo Zulu, Chief. May you enjoy your well-earned retirement!
What Mustang said.
Ditto
The same here.
Hear, hear.
~raises glass~
Can’t find anything to add to what Mustang said.
Wow. CWO5 Ralph E. Rigby. Plank Holder. Perhaps the last one ever. Hand Salute… order Arms.
I didn’t make 42 years of service. Nor did I make the ‘Stripe of Untouchable’ on my bars.
Fair winds, Ralph. You made lemonade.
Good luck out there, Chief. Thank you for your service.
Congrats, Chief. And thanks.
~Salute~
Here’s to Chief Warrant Officer 5 Ralph E. Rigby! Three Cheers Sir!!! Enjoy your well deserved and earned retirement. Thank you for serving. The last of your breed.
Guys a total dude!
Dear Dorothy,
Your son has no knowledge and or comprehension of the words “quit, quitting and or quitter”. Your son just completed 42 years of service to this great nation and I suspect he loves his mother as much as he does his country!
MCPO
Fair winds and following seas, CWO5 Rigby! Pass the torch on to those you trained; they will carry on while you enjoy a well deserved retirement.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t make pointed remarks from the rocking chair! Seems I’m in on now….
Congrats Brother, well done! Alemaster, CW5, ret.