Capt. Schmeiser’s Farewell Letter

Capt. Stephen Schmeiser retired from his position as commander of Patuxent River Naval Air Station last week and issued this open letter to the community:

What a blessing it has been for me to have served as the 34th Commanding Officer of Naval Air Station Patuxent River in this wonderful Southern Maryland community! Thank you to the patriotic sailors, civilians and contractors whose efforts and work combine to help to protect and defend our wonderful freedoms. My family and I are in awe of the memories of the unselfish and genuinely concerned individuals, businesses and community groups who all combine efforts to continually strengthen the community as well as to develop new solutions to meet the growing needs of a vibrant community.

From the largest Veterans Day Parade in the state of Maryland to the community’s welcome of Naval Air Station Individual Augmentees and their families I have witnessed the quiet and humble active caring that is in the history of our forefather’s legacy of volunteers helping volunteers. While it is one percent of the population who voluntarily raise their hands to take an oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States it is indeed an entire community that supports the sailor and their families. Thank you for supporting our military members. It is an honor to have been a naval officer in a community that cares.

CAPT Stephen A. Schmeiser, USN

Former Commanding Officer, NAS Patuxent River

What a blessing it has been for me to have served as the 34th

Commanding Officer of Naval Air Station Patuxent River in this

wonderful Southern Maryland community!  Thank you to the patriotic

sailors, civilians and contractors whose efforts and work combine to

help to protect and defend our wonderful freedoms.  My family and I

are in awe of the memories of the unselfish and genuinely concerned

individuals, businesses and community groups who all combine efforts

to continually strengthen the community as well as to develop new

solutions to meet the growing needs of a vibrant community.

From the largest Veterans Day Parade in the state of Maryland to the

community’s welcome of Naval Air Station Individual Augmentees and

their families I have witnessed the quiet and humble active caring

that is in the history of our forefather’s legacy of volunteers

helping volunteers. While it is 1% of the population who voluntarily

raise their hands to take an oath to protect and defend the

Constitution of the United States it is indeed an entire community

that supports the sailor and their families. thank you for supporting

our military members. It is an honor to have been a naval officer in a

community that cares.

CAPT Stephen A. Schmeiser, USN

Former Commanding Officer, NAS Patuxent River