Washington ( CNN ) -- Secretary of Defense Robert Gates , a career civil servant who has advised eight presidents over four decades , turned to his wife at the Pentagon 's official farewell ceremony Thursday and said `` Becky , we 're really going home this time . '' Gates ' promise to his wife was a not-so-subtle reference to his track record of leaving Washington and then reluctantly coming back or staying longer than planned . Now he 's really leaving -- for his retirement home across the country in Washington state . Most recently , as the President George W. Bush 's second term was ending , Gates made several comments about having a clock in his office counting down the days until he could leave Washington when Bush left office . But after President Barack Obama persuaded him to stay , he said he threw the clock away . He became the first secretary of defense to serve presidents of both parties , and Obama said Thursday , `` It 's clear you have been one of the best . '' The Department of Defense displayed a surplus of pomp and circumstance for the ceremony on the parade ground just outside the secretary 's office windows . On the day before , crews were busy pressure-washing the stone stairs that Gates and company would use to come and go from the ceremony . And the various military honor guard units were busy rehearsing the precise marching and drills for the ceremony . Each of the armed services sent an honor guard unit and flag bearers to the event . The Army sent its `` Pershing 's Own '' band as well as its Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps in their Colonial-era uniforms , compete with white wigs and three-corner hats . Of course , some things are out of the U.S. military 's control . The heat of a blazing sun was mitigated only by a frequent breeze and unseasonably low humidity . Still , one member of the U.S. Army Band , apparently feeling the effects of the sun as she stood there in her blue wool tunic , calmly stepped out of formation , walked to the one corner of the parade ground with any shade and sat down . By the end of the event she was back on her feet and appeared fine . ( Note to the U.S. Navy , today is perfect example of why your tradition of wearing lightweight , all-white , cotton/polyester blend uniforms on hot days is very smart move . ) Then there were the planes -- passenger jets taking off every minute or so from Reagan National Airport and flying right over the parade ground . While the 19-gun salute could be heard over the noise , the roar of the engines frequently drowned out the president , Gates and even the officer who read the official citation for the Presidential Medal of Freedom that President Obama awarded Gates -- the one surprise event of the day . Gates purposely tried keep from becoming emotional , choosing to send the troops in the field a heartfelt farewell Wednesday by e-mail . But he still took time to remember them as he left office . `` I will think of these young warriors -- the ones who fought , the ones who keep on fighting , the ones who never made it back -- till the end of my days , '' Gates said . Perhaps the feelings of the people who have worked under Gates for 4 1/2 years was best summed up by a civilian DoD bureaucrat sitting in the heat at Thursday 's ceremony : `` I 'm gon na miss this guy , '' the worker said . His friend seemed to agree .
`` We 're really going home , '' Robert Gates whispered to his wife at his farewell ceremony . Gates has a history of being asked to return or stay longer than planned in public service . Thursday 's event was marked by blistering heat and relentless jet noise . Defense secretary writes a heartfelt farewell to those who serve and have served .