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That's Correct Lieutenant Colonel"

Sorry for sounding too nit-picky, but I read somewhere that when addressing in person an officer who has a "compound rank" ("Major General","Lieutenant Colonel" etc.) that the adjective is dropped. Therefore a letter that is addressed to Lt. Colonel Joseph Brown would have the full rank, but he would be addressed in person as simply "COLONEL Brown" rather than "Lieutenant Colonel Brown"? Sorry if I have this point wrong.

The grunts in the field he was chatting with usually called him "sir" like he is was still an active superior, the retired officers of every rank and branch who addresses him during his reports call him "Colonel North", not "Ollie". North himself always refers to himself as an "Over the hill onetime Lieutenant Colonel in the Corps who understands that this business is a young mans game".

My point was directed at the respect and public tribute military men and women afford each other, even in retirement. When Major Bob Bevalaqua was responding to an inquiry by Colonel David Hunt on camera, he addresses him as "Sir" and he answers the inquiry in a direct, insightful and informational way.

I like that etiquette, it radiates a profession of discipline, excellence and ongoing legacy to Americans who depend on these guys to protect us.