Col. James M. Veazey, Jr. Retires
with the Governors Citation during Veazey's
retirement ceremony Feb. 24. (Photo courtesy of Mr. Dave Roll, visual information photographer)
Col. James M. Veazey, Jr. retired from the U.S. Army after 29 years of combined Federal Service at an official retirement ceremony, officiated by Col. Russell E. Coleman, commander of the U.S. Army Medical Materiel Development Activity, at the Community Activities Center Fort Detrick Feb. 24.
Veazey was joined by his wife, Margo, as well as family, friends and colleagues to celebrate this occasion.
Veazey initially worked in academic medicine, serving as an associate professor of Medicine and Hospital Epidemiologist at the Albany Medical Center Hospital. While there, he joined the U.S. Army Reserve in 1983, and became an officer in the 364th General Hospital which later was reflagged to be the 364th Field Hospital. His positions in the 364th included General Surgeon, Chief of Surgical Services, Chief of Medical Services, and finally Commander.
"I've been extraordinarily lucky, I did all of this backwards… started out as a faculty member at Albany Medical College, worked in the Pharmaceutical industry, then came in the Army at the end of things," said Veazey.
During the ceremony, Coleman remarked on Veazey's entire career saying, "When you look at the measure of any individual, he's got it all."
Veazey's talents did not begin with his work in the medical field or military, but show through his early background and training. "You want to talk about a bright individual, just look at his education, Harvard, Dartmouth, MIT," said Coleman.
Over his many years of service, Veazey has worked all over the world. He stated that one of his greatest achievements was working with the eradication of Smallpox in India. He spent three months in northeast India working for the World Health Organization's Smallpox Eradication Program. He also spent seven weeks as the Public Health Advisor to the U.S. Air Force contingent on Wake Island that was processing refugees from Vietnam for entry and residency in the United States.
Veazey was presented with numerous awards and gifts, which included; Joint Meritorious Unit Award; Meritorious Service Medal; Army Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster; Army Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster; and the U.S. Flags flown over the U.S. Capital and over Fort Detrick, Frances Scott Key Grave.
Coleman's closing remarks summed up the entire duration of Veazey's service with, "He has served humanity well."