RIO GRANDE CITY — Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez blamed the ghosts of Abu Ghraib for forcing him out of a military career that spanned 33 years.

The 55-year-old Rio Grande City native and one-time top U.S. commander in Iraq retired in a formal ceremony at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio on Wednesday.

Sanchez took command of U.S. troops in Iraq on June 14, 2003, the same day he was promoted from a two-star major general to the three-star lieutenant general he remains now. He served in that capacity until July 2004 — in charge during both the capture of Saddam Hussein and the Abu Ghraib prison scandal, in which members of the U.S. Army Reserves abused Iraqi prisoners.

Though Sanchez was later cleared of any wrongdoing in the Abu Ghraib affair, his tenure in Iraq remained tainted.

"That’s the key reason, the sole reason, that I was forced to retire," he said Wednesday.

Celebrating with his family in San Antonio after the retirement ceremony, Sanchez said there was simply nothing left for him to do in his military career but to retire.

"I was essentially not offered another position in either a three-star or four-star command," he said.

Sanchez declined to say whether he was the U.S. military’s fall guy in the Abu Ghraib fallout.

"That’s not for me to judge," he said with a good-natured laugh.

He did say, however, that his greatest accomplishment was simply contributing to the country’s security. He’s served in numerous positions leading soldiers into combat.

"That’s probably the greatest legacy I leave behind," he said. "Hopefully, I have been able to instill values in the system and develop character that will continue."

He looks forward to moving on to the next chapter of his life.

"I am going to be staying here in the San Antonio area and start looking at … multiple opportunities and try to contribute to the Hispanic community, developing young Hispanic leaders."

His family seemed happy to have him back in Texas’ orbit.

"We are going to be getting together, kicking back, reminiscing, having a good time," said his brother, Robert, 57, who traveled from the Valley to his brother’s ceremony in San Antonio, and to also visit his daughter in college in the area.

Another brother, Leonel, 51, also attended the retirement ceremony.

"We are very happy that he’s finally out and healthy, and doing well," he said. "I think he has really thought about it. I don’t think he wanted to get out, because he loved the military, but it’s probably the best thing for him to do and for his family, to start a new chapter in his life."

Leonel Sanchez said the family planned to celebrate with a big barbecue in Rio Grande City in a couple of weeks.

Their mother, Maria Elena Sanchez, was unable to travel to San Antonio for her son’s ceremony because of a recent knee surgery she underwent, said Leonel Sanchez.

From her home, the Sanchez matriarch said she was just glad her son was home safe.

"I feel happy in one way," she said. "I don’t know how he feels about this. I am happy because I worry too much of him being over there and everything. I feel really happy now that he’s back."

Sanchez served as parade marshal during Rio Grande City’s annual Christmas parade two years ago. During that visit, he encouraged school children never to accept defeat.

"When I went to West Grammar Elementary… if they had lined up every child they had in there and said, ‘Who has the highest possibility of being a general?’ I would probably have been at the tail end of that list," he told children at that event.

He also visited a school here in 2004 that had been named for him, saying he found it to be a very "humbling" experience.

"It’s humbling because of the kids that will walk through these hallways, and the tremendous burden it places on us as role models to encourage these great young kids in whatever they choose to do in their lives," he said.

"There may be a general out there, a political leader or an economic leader. Give these children a love for education, to stretch the limits of their minds."

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Photo Credits: Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez testifies about Iraqi prisoner abuse before the Senate Armed Services Committee, May 19, 2004 (Photo: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters).
Travis Whitehead covers features and entertainment for The Monitor.
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