CSM John H. Frey III · Retirement

You are cordially invited

In Honor of the Retirement of
Command Sergeant Major
John H. Frey III

United States Army

Celebrating 24 years of dedicated service

Command Sergeant Major John H. Frey III
Thursday, 20 August Two Thousand Twenty-Six

Hunter Army Airfield · Savannah, Georgia

Please respond by Friday, 7 August

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The Day

Three Ways to Celebrate

All are welcome at each gathering. RSVP to whichever you plan to attend — it helps us plan seating, base access, and food for the send-off.

01

Change of Responsibility

Morning · 0830

All welcome

The time-honored ceremony in which the Command Sergeant Major of 2nd Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment — the unit's senior enlisted leader and keeper of its standards — formally passes that responsibility to his successor. It is CSM Frey's final act as the unit's senior enlisted leader after 24 years of leading Soldiers. On post at Hunter Army Airfield; the location will be confirmed and you will be notified by email.

Formal · Uniform / business attire
02

Retirement Ceremony

Afternoon · 3:30 PM

All welcome

The Army's formal tribute to a career of service — honoring 24 years, the family who served alongside him, and the Soldiers he led. This is CSM Frey's final farewell in uniform — the closing of the chapter. Held outdoors at the reflection pond, with chairs provided.

National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force
175 Bourne Avenue, Pooler, GA 31322
Parking and entry are free
View on Google Maps →

Formal · Uniform / business attire
03

BBQ & Bourbon Send-Off

5:30 PM · come & go

All welcome

Relaxed home gathering with BBQ and bourbon — plenty of other options! Come when you can, stay as long as you like. Address shared with confirmed guests.

Casual · At the house
RSVP

Let Us Know You're Coming

Check every event you plan to attend. Please respond by Friday, 7 August — it helps us plan seating, base access, and food for the send-off. You can update your response any time after.

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Thank you — we can't wait to celebrate with you.

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    BBQ & Bourbon Send-Off — the house
    The address will be emailed to confirmed guests as the date approaches. Watch your inbox.
    Details & Updates

    The Details

    A few things are still being finalized. This section is updated as details firm up — bookmark this page and check back.

    Event locations Ceremony set
    Change of Responsibility · 0830
    On post at Hunter Army Airfield — the exact building is still being confirmed. As soon as it's locked it will appear right here and go out by email.

    Retirement Ceremony · 3:30 PM — confirmed
    National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, 175 Bourne Avenue, Pooler, GA 31322. Held outdoors at the reflection pond, moving into the Chapel on site if it rains. Chairs are provided. Parking and entry are free — no museum admission is required to attend the ceremony. View on Google Maps →

    BBQ & Bourbon Send-Off · 5:30 PM
    At the house on Hunter AAF. The address is shared with confirmed guests by email.
    Parking & arrival Guidance
    Change of Responsibility · 0830 — on post. Allow extra time at the gate, especially if you're using a visitor pass. Arrival and parking guidance will be posted once the building is confirmed.

    Retirement Ceremony · 3:30 PM — the museum. Parking and entry are free. Please arrive by 3:15 so we can start on time at 3:30. If you'd like to tour the museum before or after the ceremony, see the front desk — museum admission is separate.

    BBQ & Bourbon Send-Off · 5:30 PM — on post. The museum is about 25 minutes from Hunter Army Airfield, so allow travel time (plus the gate, if you need a pass). The send-off is come and go — arrive whenever you get there.
    What to wear Guidance
    Ceremonies: military uniform or business/dress attire. Send-off at the house: casual — come comfortable. It's August in Savannah, so dress for heat and humidity.
    August weather note Good to know
    Expect heat, humidity, and the chance of an afternoon thunderstorm (they tend to pop up between about 2–7 PM). The Retirement Ceremony will be held outdoors at the reflection pond unless it's raining — if it is, we'll move into the Chapel on site. Chairs are provided either way. Dress for August in Savannah and bring water for any time outdoors.
    Hunter Army Airfield

    How to Get on Post

    No military ID? No problem. Pre-register for a visitor pass online before the date — it's quick, and it means you breeze through the gate. Just follow these steps.

    Only needed for two of the three events. A visitor pass is required for the Change of Responsibility and the BBQ & Bourbon Send-Off, both on Hunter Army Airfield. The Retirement Ceremony is off post at the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force — no pass, no ID check, free parking and entry.

    Start your visitor pass → pass.aie.army.mil

    Open the pre-registration site

    Go to pass.aie.army.mil (button above). This is the official Army visitor pre-registration system.

    Select Army → Fort Stewart

    Choose Army as the branch, then Fort Stewart as the installation (Hunter Army Airfield falls under Fort Stewart).

    Read & accept the terms

    Review the visitor terms and conditions, then accept to continue.

    Choose “Visitor Pass (Not Special Event)”

    When asked for the visit type, select Visitor Pass (Not Special Event).

    Enter your information

    Fill in your citizenship status, ID information, and your driver's license details, then complete the remaining fields.

    Arrive early & bring your ID

    Bring the same REAL ID / license you registered with. Plan to arrive 45–60 minutes early for the gate and summer traffic. A day-of contact number will be posted here closer to the date.