It was an exciting and emotional day over at The Naval Support Activity at Panama City Beach as it welcomed a new commander and said goodbye to another.

The Change of Command and retirement ceremony was held Friday morning at the Navy Lab at Panama City Beach.

Captain Harold Harbeson Jr., who's served three and half years as the commanding officer for the Naval Support Activity, said his farewells. He's retiring from the Navy after a thirty-five year career.

Captain Jessica Pfefferkorn took over the reins and says the specific advice the retiring Capt Harbeson gave her is to be herself, to listen and to learn from her sailors.

"There are always challenges with anything worth doing. Captain Harbeson has laid some solid ground work here with his leadership and dedication over the last three and a half years and I hope to carry on his vision and meet the new challenges as we change with today's Navy.

For Harbeson it was a happy but somewhat sad day. The Navy has been his life for 35 years.

"It's pretty hard to leave the service after 35 years of service, pretty tough.”

Captain Harbeson will be retiring in Jacksonville.