SecNav Says Early Goodbye in D.C. Ceremony

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SecNav Says Early Goodbye in D.C. Ceremony

By Philip Ewing - Staff writer
Posted : Saturday Jan 24, 2009 7:11:47 EST

Navy Secretary Donald Winter was “piped ashore” in a farewell ceremony Friday in Washington, even though he will remain in office for the early weeks of the Obama administration.

Winter’s going-away ceremony had been arranged before it was clear whether he would stay after the departure of President Bush, but even though he’ll remain in office until March 13, or until his replacement arrives, the Navy and Marine Corps spared him no pomp.

A 19-gun salute boomed across the clear sky above Marine Corps Barracks Washington; a brass band played patriotic selections; and Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead and Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James Conway lavished praise on Winter’s three years of service.

Roughead called it a “true privilege and honor” to serve under a Navy secretary “with the greatest intellect and highest sense of honor,” and praised what he called Winter’s compassion for sailors and Marines serving throughout the world.

Winter had improved the Navy’s acquisition processes, Roughead said, with his “exacting standards” and his attention to detail. Roughead said that when he sends his staff members to brief Winter, he tells them “you’d better be ready to do your push-ups,” because Winter is always ready with detailed questions about their subject areas.

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http://www.navytimes.com/news/2009/01/marine_winter_012309w/%2e