I've seen the same thing in the Air Force...

If you are a solid officer, serve your country, and TAKE CARE of your squadron mates along the way...you get a nice retirement ceremony. You stay on email lists. Your friends come by and see you regularly, and a few bros hook you up with a good contractor/airline/other gig. Life is great.

If you were a back stabbing, look in the mirror type, you get a nice retirement ceremony. But you hang out in your basement office looking at your "I love me" plaques for the next 20 years wondering why your phone doesn't ring and all your old friends have "scattered".

You reap what you sow...

I didn't know this guy--but know he was a Vietnam vet and served his country. However--the sentiment you see here reflects what he did he last 10-15 years professionally. The thing is--we cannot control what people say about us after we are gone, but we make decisions every day that affect how we will be remembered. The choice is ours...