Lt. Col. Michael J. Drouin, SVC of Camp 22 receives his USMCR retirement papers from 6th Military District Commander Capt. Joe Marti
On Sunday, March 9th, at the last event of the Department of California & Pacific Encampment a very special event took place that was not part of the official agenda. At the end of a First Person Walking Tour of Sacramento, California’s Historic City Cemetery, a final biographical sketch was presented on Marine Corps Private McLeod by Brother Mike Drouin, SVC of Camp 22. It was supposed to be the end of the tour, however there was one more bit of business to conduct. At that time Brother Joe Marti, PCC and Commander of the 6th Military District, SVR, came to the front with a large red folder containing a very valuable document. The document explained that although Brother Drouin was portraying one, his ties to the Marines ran much deeper than the Civil War-era uniform he wore. As the crowd drew closer they heard The words, “Attention to orders!” Brother Marti then read these words: “Certificate of Retirement from the Armed Forces of the United State of America. To all who shall see these presents, greeting: this is to certify that Michael J. Drouin, having served faithfully and honorably was retired from the United States Marine Corps on the Ninth day of March Two Thousand and Fourteen.” So it happened that the last event of the Department Encampment was capped by those gathered as witness to the pinnacle of Brother Drouin’s life of service to his country. For those present, it was a dramatic and memorable moment that will not soon be forgotten. We salute Brother Drouin for his service to the United States and to our order and congratulate him for his well-deserved retirement.