Alaska Army Guard Maj. Walter Hotch-Hill, 49th Missile Defense Battalion (Ground-based Midcourse Defense), shakes Sgt. 1st Class Joseph Sallaffie’s, 1st Battalion, 297th Infantry Regiment, hand after presenting him with the Meritorious Service Medal during a retirement ceremony at the National Guard armory in Bethel, Aug. 19, 2022. Sallaffie served more than 23 years in the National Guard and active-duty components of the U.S. Army, and officially retired July 31, 2022. (Alaska National Guard photo by 1st Lt. Balinda O’Neal)