On July 23, 2016 the 1st Armored Division Sustainment Brigade “Muleskinners” and Fort Bliss said farewell to a highly respected and beloved commander, COL James Jennings as well as his family. It was a bittersweet day for all.
I’ll start with why it was for myself and my husband, Paul. James and his wife, Crystal, go way back with my husband. James is his classmate (the year is not important) and Crystal was also there but she is younger ;-). It was great having them here at the same post but they didn’t get to see each other much thanks to a deployment for James.
I was fortunate to get to see Crystal around post which was always a treat. She always had a smile on her face and it was contagious. I sure do miss seeing that smile around here. I’m sure I’m not the only one. She did so much for the families of her husband’s brigade and for Fort Bliss. Fort Carson is lucky to have her in their midst.
Family comes first with them and it shows in their kids. They have 3 amazing kids who are going to do great things in life. I can’t wait to see that paths they choose.
Before everyone is seated the Division Commander, MG White, presents special awards to COL Jennings and Crystal. He began with COL Jennings and spoke of his love for his soldiers and touched on his 9 month deployment to Afghanistan which also consisted of several hundred soldiers from his brigade.
It was an unforgiving sun that morning.
Sometimes the sun wins.
COL Jennings receives the Legion of Merit
He then spoke of Crystal and her selfless service to her family, Fort Bliss, the brigade families, and the El Paso Community. She did it all with a smile and never wavered. She has a heart of gold and is always willing to help where help is needed.
Crystal receives the Commander’s Award for Public Service.
Crystal said a few words thanking everyone for their support and for making Fort Bliss and El Paso feel like home.
James spoke a bit next but quickly mentioned that he would not say much since it was already in his speech for later on during the ceremony. He did thank MG White for his guidance and leadership since he would be leaving and unable to remain for the actual change of command.
Such an emotional day.
Now as everyone finds their seats the actual ceremony can begin.
Mrs. White and BG (Brigadier General) Lawrence from the United Kingdom
Invocation
Red roses are presented to Crystal thanking her for all she has done.
A unit coin is presented to their youngest son.
A single red rose and a unit coin is presented to their daughter.
Their oldest son is also presented with a unit coin.
Both the outgoing and incoming commanders accompanied by the commander of troops conduct a ceremonial inspection of the troops also known as “trooping the line”.
The colors have been posted.
COL Jennings conducts his final inspection of the brigade and salutes each battalion as he passes.
I see your phone.Saluting the National Colors
A picture is worth a thousand words.
The “officers and colors forward march” signifies the beginning of the formal change of command.
The National AnthemAlways brings tears to my eyes.
MG White had to depart. leaving the current Deputy Commanding General for Operations, BG Lawrence to pass the colors from the outgoing commander to the incoming commander. This is the first time that an foreign general officer has performed this duty in the US Army.
Getting into position.
Bittersweet moment…2 years passes by so quickly.
Key to the change of command is the passing of the Unit’s Colors. They represent the heritage and history of the unit and the unity and loyalty of its soldiers. The colors are the commander’s symbol of authority representing his responsibilities to the organization. Wherever the commander is so are the colors. The Command Sergeant Major (CSM), the senior enlisted soldier of the brigade, is the custodian of the colors.
Job well done COL Jennings.
Hard to give it up.
The transition is complete and the incoming commander takes his place and the tradition continues on.
BG Lawrence addresses the crowd and highlights the contributions of the brigade and COL Jennings highlighting their recent deployment to Afghanistan.
COL Jennings will now address the crowd and thank the soldiers for their dedication, hard work, and successes; his peers for their continued friendship; his family for their unwavering love and support.
Both families will now move up to the front for the Pass and Review.
The playing of the Army Song signifies the end of the ceremony.
Once the band is off the field there is a receiving line for those who would like to say one last farewell to the family.
Class of 1992
An amazing family.
This one cracks me up!
Thank you for asking me to photograph this special day for you all. I am so glad to have gotten to know you the past 2 years and look forward to seeing all that you do in your future endeavors. You are a wonderful couple and family and we will miss you. As we say in the army… See you later.
“Don’t cry because it’s over.
Smile because it happened.”
~ Dr. Seuss ~
