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But even though it was a retirement ceremony, Crosby prefers to think of it as just another chapter in his life.

"I don't think a Marine really ever retires," said Crosby. "You're on the go from the time you join the Marine Corps to the time that you end. It's something that I've prepared myself for. We know that we can only do a certain amount of years, and those that are coming towards the end of that time kind of prepare themselves for that."

Crosby enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1973, and completed his recruit training in San Diego, Calif. After finishing infantry training in 1974, he was transferred to the 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines in Okinawa, Japan.

Crosby was promoted to sergeant in 1975, and became part of the Inspector-Instructor Staff of Company F, 2nd Battalion, 24 Marines in Milwaukee. He moved on to serve as a weapons and rifle platoon sergeant in 1982, as well as a noncommissioned Officer-in-Charge of Recruiting through 1986, and was then selected to be a Training Team Leader and Troop Sergeant in the Royal Marine Exchange Program in Lympstone, England. This is where he received some of his most rigorous training.

"I was a drill instructor at their Commando Training Center for their recruits," said Crosby. "When I went through what they called the Commando Course, the physical fitness test was a nine mile speed march -- nine miles, 90 minutes -- with boots, utilities, a cartridge belt, and a weapon, and all of that totaled together weighed about 32 pounds."

"We had a six-mile endurance course that we did. We had 72 minutes to get that accomplished. The first mile and a quarter of that, some of it was submerged under tunnels that were filled with water, tunnels that were dark. Another course was all rope obstacles that were 40 feet above the ground. Then, the final test was 30 miles. We had seven and a half hours, and again, we were carrying about 40 pounds of gear. If it was downhill or flat, you were running it."

Crosby was promoted to first sergeant in 1989, and was assigned to help evacuate American citizens and foreign nationals from the American Embassy in Monrovia, Liberia from August to December 1990. In 1998, he was even given an opportunity to serve President Clinton for two years.

"From 1998 to the year 2000, I was the Squadron Sergeant Major for the Presidential Helicopter Squadron in Quantico, Va.," said Crosby, "and had a chance to travel the world in support of the President's helicopter relations. That was a tremendous experience."

Among Crosby's other achievements are the Meritorious Service Medal with two Gold Stars, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with three Gold Stars, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, the Combat Action Ribbon, and the Presidential Service Badge.

Despite all his achievements and accomplishments in the past 28 years, Crosby says that retirement won't be much calmer than his military life. Some of his possible future plans could include using his leadership and other skills to be a consultant for businesses.

"More and more of the private sector is looking to the military for how we do business," said Crosby. "There's a certain discipline and certain organizational skills that come with as little as four years in the military. It's just a matter of bringing that organization to a company that may not have that."

This is just one of Crosby's many possibilities for the future. But for the time being, he says he's putting most of his energy into the bar he and his wife bought a year ago, Pappy's Leathernecks Tavern. The tavern's official grand opening was during the ceremonies on Saturday, though the bar has been open for business for the past year thanks to Crosby's wife, Bonnie.

"We actually bought the place last year," said Crosby, "but because I had another year left to do in the Marine Corps, my wife has been up here running the place for the last year by herself."

Crosby said his main goal in retirement is to make up for all the time he's had to spend away from his wife and family. He started on this goal at the end of his retirement ceremony, when he surprised Bonnie by asking her to join him in renewing their wedding vows.

"My wife didn't know about that," said Crosby. "In October we will have been married 25 years, and she's followed me all over the world. We've been separated an awful lot, and I started thinking about two or three months ago that this would be a great time, because we've got the whole family together."

Crosby is excited to spend more time with his family and friends, now that he's no longer traveling the world abroad. "This is like coming home for me," said Crosby. "Many of my lifelong friends were here today, so many of my friends from across the time of my life.

"My biggest goal is to catch up on the things that I've missed being away from my family and friends for the last 28 years," said Crosby. "I've been very fortunate, ane I think I've accomplished a lot ofthings, but there's nothing more important than family and friends. If I can get caught up on what I've missed the last 28 years, I'll be very happy."