Diligence celebrates crew member’s retirement

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The Coast Guard Cutter Diligence said goodbye today to a longtime veteran. Chief machinery technician Bill Jones concluded his military service in an afternoon retirement ceremony along the Wilmington riverfront.

His colleagues say despite being assigned to the diligence for only six months Chief Jones contributed a great deal while overseeing the overhaul of one of the main diesel engines and a generator.

Jones will officially retire from active duty on January 1 after 25 years in the Coast Guard.