A retirement CAPT Steve Little is presents Dave Wajda a retirement certificate signed by Admiral Thad Allen, Commandant of the US Coast Guard.

By Laura Mitchell

Dave Wajda, deputy clerk of the Portsmouth District Court and former long-time clerk at Salem District Court retired from the United States Coast Guard Reserves on August 4, 2008 . During his 25 years of service, Wajda had achieved Senior Reserve Officer rank and was a member of the Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron Ten, based in Jacksonville, Florida.

The official retirement ceremony took place July 12, 2008 at the United States Coast Guard Station in New Castle, NH where Wajda began his service in 1983, when he enlisted in the Coast Guard's RX Program as a Port Security Petty Officer Third Class. Commander Wajda mobilized twice in support of operations in the Middle East and Europe. During his tenure with the United States Navy he received several awards which include the Navy Commendation Medal (3), Coast Guard Achievement Medal, Navy Achievement Medal (2), Letter of Commendation (2), Permanent Cuttermans Pin, and various other personal and unit awards.

On his retirement from the Coast Guard, Wajda said, "I am looking forward to spending more time with my family and maybe do ing some traveling - other than hostile foreign countries - with my wife."