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During Marie Field’s military retirement ceremony last week, she presented a flag to Nurse Manager Marianne Cummings, left.
When Marie Field’s father Col. Pate swore her into the Air Force U.S. Reserves 29 years ago, it was one of the proudest days of her life. Field, MS, RN, a nurse educator in the BWH NICU, made many family members and BWH colleagues proud as she led a highly successful career in the military, serving most recently as brigadier general in the Air National Guard.
Last week, Gov. Deval Patrick, members of the National Guard and Air Force Reserves and Field’s colleagues at BWH gathered at the Massachusetts StateHouse to honor Field’s accomplishments—including being the first female to achieve the rank of general in the Massachusetts National Guard’s 368-year history—and wish her well as she retires from what Brigadier General Oliver Mason, Jr., called a “splendid and groundbreaking” career in the military.
“I wanted to pay my enormous respects to you,” Patrick said during the formal, yet intimate ceremony. “Not just as the first (female general), but as one of the best.”
Field drew a standing ovation from the audience, which she called a “melding of all her worlds:” family, friends, the military and BWH. With grace and her trademark sense of humor, she reflected on her time in the military.
“All I can say is, what an incredible journey,” said Field, who served in capacities including chief nurse executive and assistant adjutant general for the Air National Guard.
State Rep. William Pignatelli thanked Field for her leadership and service. “She made an impact on the military around the country, if not the world,” he said. “And the work she does at Brigham and Women’s Hospital is second to none.”
While her work in the military and at BWH at times could be worlds apart, a common theme united both worlds. “Her military career and nursing career have always been about serving the least among us,” said Mason, adjutant general of the Massachusetts National Guard. Field will continue as nurse educator in the NICU, where she has worked for the past 26 years. Her NICU family attended the ceremony to support her retirement just as they supported her military career. Field presented a special flag to Nurse Manager Marianne Cummings, MSN, RN, who shared in and supported her career every step of the way. “Her support allowed me to live and work in two worlds,” Field said.
From left, Brigadier General Oliver Mason, Jr., Governor Deval Patrick and Brigadier General Marie Field at her retirement ceremony last week.