Top Military Man in America: U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff,, originally uploaded by panzerwaffen43.

Marine Gen. Peter Pace announced his retirement today as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The move will become official in September at the end of Pace’s two-year term.

I always respected and admired Pace’s leadership and resolve in a difficult and tumultuous time for the military. In her previous job, my wife used to work with his daughter. Even though they didn’t know each other well, I always felt an indirect connection.

Pace’s retirement won bipartisan praise today on Capitol Hill, a rare feat in this day and age of partisanship.

Said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D.-Nev.): “General Pace and Admiral Giambastiani deserve the gratitude of the nation for their decades of service.” His Republican counterpart, Sen. Mitch McConnell (R.-Ky.) had this to say:

As historians look back upon the horrible attacks of September 11, 2001 and review our nation’s response to those horrendous deeds, they will be struck by the faithful service rendered to this nation by General Pete Pace. The President and his Secretaries of Defense have relied upon the integrity, courage and invaluable military judgment of one of our nation’s finest military leaders.

Pete Pace never flinched from the call of duty to this nation starting from his days as a midshipman, as an infantry commander in Vietnam, and finally as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs. We all owe a debt of gratitude to Pete and his wife Lynne for giving so much of themselves throughout this demanding period.

Best wishes to Pace over the next few months and in his retirement.