He had never been able to come to his daughter's promotion ceremonies during her career, but 93-year-old Lloyd Cain, a career military man, presided over his daughter's retirement ceremony from the U.S. Air Force.
Peggy Milam was honored for her 20 years of service Friday at the Ike Skelton Training Center in Jefferson City. The dietitian served two tours of duty in Germany, as well as tours in Japan and Afghanistan during her career.
The 1982 graduate of Jefferson City High School leaves the service with the rank of lieutenant colonel.
The Cain family has a long tradition of military service.
Lloyd's wife, Regina, was a nurse in the U.S. Army, and three of their sons also served in the armed forces. Robert Cain served in the U.S. Navy, John Cain was a helicopter pilot in the Air Force and Carl Cain served in the Navy during the Vietnam War.
"We were born into it," Milam said. "We have a long family legacy. My father's father served in World War I, and looking through our family history, we have found relatives who fought in the Revolutionary War."
Milam worked as a dietitian in the civilian sector for about five years. After attending a conference and talking to a friend of a friend in the Air Force, she decided she wanted to join.
"I thought I was too old, but they said we need dietitians," she said. "So I contacted the recruiters, and the next thing I knew I was in, and it was the best decision I ever made."
She was proud to have her father preside at the ceremony, noting he was a Silver Star Award recipient and a battlefield-commissioned officer who served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam.
In 2012, Lloyd was awarded the French Legion of Honor for his service.
In December 1944, Lloyd was sent beyond his lines four different times to observe enemy activity and direct mortar fire. He would also fire phosphorous rounds to try and clear German soldiers out of foxholes. After his fourth trek into enemy territory, he was able to stop the German soldiers.
Reflecting on his career, Lloyd said he did not always make a decision about what to do when it came to his military service or actions.
"Sometimes I made a decision, and other times my indecision became my decision," he said. "When asked if I would do it all over again, I say I would have to think about it. It would be another decision to make.
"I am honored to have done what I got to do and for the honors it has brought to me."
Lloyd said he has attributed many things in his life to being in the right place at the right time.
"I should have been dead a few times, and fortunately I made it," he said. "I should have been captured a few times, and I wasn't. It was the Holy Spirit looking out for me, surely it was."