Army Civilian, veteran retires after more than four decades of service

[The Patriot]

FORT DRUM, N.Y. -- When Command Sgt. Maj. Ken Lopez walked across the stage at Fort Drum and received his Army retirement pin on Dec. 31, 2002, he knew in his heart that his time serving Soldiers and Families was far from over. Shortly after hanging up his Army service uniform and putting away his combat boots, Lopez donned a new uniform -- complete with the fedora-style hat and bowtie that have become his signature trademark.Now, after more than 42 years of service to his country -- half of which he spent at Fort Drum -- Lopez says he is ready to see where life takes him -- provided that the first stop along the way is the beach.

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