Souza retires from U.S. Air Force

Capt. David M. Souza recently retired from the U.S. Air Force at Maxwell Air Force Base, Squadron Officer's, Montgomery, Ala., after serving for 20 years.

He is the son of Robert M. Souza of Squim, Wash., and Marcia Souza of Bass Lake.

Souza attended Coarsegold Elementary School and later graduated from Yosemite High School in 1986. In 1992, he graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy with a degree in English and a foreign language minor. In 2001, he received his masters in management from Troy State University.

During his retirement ceremony, there was the folding and presentation of the U.S. flag. At a pre-ceremony event, a flag that was flown on Half Dome in Yosemite National Park was folded and given to Souza by his sons Geoffrey and Patrick. The flag was taken up to Half Dome and flown by his brother Steven, sister Sharon Dailey, and nephew Jacob Dailey.