On April 7, Chaplain (Colonel) Jerry Houge, a native of Albert Lea and 1969 graduate of Albert Lea High School, retired from the U.S. Air Force after 28 years of service. His ceremony was held at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, where he was last assigned as Command Chaplain for the Air Force Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency, an organization with almost 17,000 personnel and units assigned throughout the world. Houge is the son of the late Bernie and Marian Houge of Albert Lea. His numerous assignments have included temporary duty in virtually every area of conflict in the world during the last three decades as well as Italy, England and several locations in the U.S. Upon retirement, he and his wife, Becky, will reside in Mary Ester, Fla.