TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- “Serendipity. That’s what the COVID-19 pandemic turned into for me. I am getting to ease into my retirement while being on administrative leave as a DoD civilian. I have 28 years, 21 in the Air Force blue, and 12 of those years at Travis. I joined on an impulse, and found my passion and joy in public affairs. As Col. Scott McLaughlin, 349th Air Mobility Wing commander, said, 'If you’re not having fun, come talk to me.' I did have fun, but it’s time to have fun with my greatest passion, and the loves of my life, my children, Jessica and Garrett. They are waiting in the wings for me to join them. This is my swan song. One of my 349th AMW friends said I deserve a parade, but I’m happy with this final bow, and gentle farewell. To all my Travis AFB family and friends in our communities, thank you. I’m taking a little of each of you with me to Milwaukee. I’ve thrived on working the crowds at our base and community events, but I have so much more I want to do. And I’m always trying to save the world, one person at a time. Serendipity has gifted me throughout my career. To paraphrase Lou Gehrig, which I do often, I am the luckiest woman on the face of the earth. I’ve got a lot to live for. We are living in an extraordinary time, all around the world. Everything has changed, it will never be the same. I realize from the day I left New Hampshire for basic military training, my life was made extraordinary by change, by the journey I was on.” — Ellen Hatfield, 349th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs chief of community engagement