Dear Ken:
Well, old friend, the time has finally come for you to hang up the spurs....
Of course, we all know that this only means that you are going to translate all that unbridled energy, dedication and unsurpassed excellence towards new endeavours in what will become the most fulfilling phase of your life’s journey.
I can think of few people who have maintained such consistently high standards, regardless of posting, assignment or endeavour. And this has made such a tremendous difference to not only the task at hand, but in the lives of all those who have had the priviledge of serving and working with you.
As for me, I will always remember that lean and impeccably turned out CWO who graced my office in Gander some 26 years ago. Every inch an airman and consummate professional, you were the one who epitomized that old description of a military man’s “fierce look of pride.”
I don’t know what good fortune brought us together, but I will be forever grateful. Indeed, I cannnot even begin to tell you what a difference you made. But suffice to say, you were always the “sober second thought” in any command decision and you never ceased to make a given idea or course of action better. You also undertook so many tasks under your own initiative. For the life of me, I’ll never quite understand how you accomplished so much, in spite of being repeatedly told it wasn’t possible. And of course, we both know that if not for you, I would have “departed the fix” well before my programmed date....
In the truest sense, you were my comrade, my coach and mentor; moreover, you and Denise were my good neighbours and friends.
Of course, we have since gone on to other endeavours since those heady Gander days and of course, you’ve excelled tremendously in your PSP endeavours. So all I can say is that despite so many years and challenges, you’ve applied the same winning formula, with the results speaking for themselves. Eisenhower once described leadership as “the art of getting people to do what you want done, because they want to do it.” That sums up Ken Doucette perfectly.
So let me close off by wishing you, Denise, Paul and family, the very best in health and happiness as you embark upon this next and best phase of your life. Hopefully, we’ll see each other in the not too distant future.
God Bless.