Gen. McChrystal retires in military ceremony

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MSNBC.com:



WASHINGTON — An embattled Gen. Stanley McChrystal says he's optimistic about his future after leaving his 34-year Army career behind.

Before a crowd of a few hundred friends, family and colleagues on the Fort McNair parade grounds, McChrystal said: "I need to celebrate."

McChrystal was fired last month as the top commander in Afghanistan after Rolling Stone magazine published an article quoting scathing remarks he and his aides made about their civilian bosses.

In his farewell tribute, he joked about the episode. He warned his comrades in arms "I have stories on all of you, photos of many, and I know a Rolling Stone reporter."