1st Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division

Story by Staff Sgt. Christina Turnipseed

FORT BLISS, Texas - The 2nd Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery Regiment "Gunners" from 1st Armored Division of Ft. Bliss East bade a ceremonious farewell to its former battalion commander while festively welcoming its new battalion commander Monday, Aug. 16, on the "Ready First" parade field outside of the 1st Brigade, 1st Armored Division Brigade Building.

Col. George L. Swift, the 1/1 Armored Div. Brigade commander delivered the opening speech by stating, "It is clearly a bitter sweet moment, here in the evolution of the "Ready First" Brigade as Col. Art Weeks, one of the founding fathers, if you will, of 1/1 AD here at Ft. Bliss passes or has now passed the command to Lt. Col. Charles Mills."

Guest of both the outgoing and incoming 2-3 commanders watched attentively as Lt. Col. Arthur G. Weeks, the outgoing 2-3 commander's wife, Mrs. Christine Weeks received the "Yellow Rose of Texas" award given only through the governor's office which recognizes outstanding Texas women for their significant contributions to Texas. Mrs. Weeks also received the Department of the Army, Commander's Award for Public Service. Both awards were presented to her by Swift during a short ceremony that took place earlier that day.

Weeks received a Meritorious Service Medal presented to him by Swift at the same ceremony.

During the change of command, Weeks thanked Garrison and 1/1 AD's commander and former Commander by saying "Maj. General Bromberg who is away on leave, to you and Col. Manning and your staffs we appreciate your efforts as we built this battalion from scratch "one team one fight." Col. Schaill and Swift, thank you for the opportunity to excel."

Mills, the incoming 2-3 Battalion commander thanked Swift by saying, "Col. Swift, thank you for the wonderful opportunity to command such an outstanding outfit and I'm extremely honored to serve with you and for you."

The change of command included the traditional passing of the colors and roses were given to Weeks' wife, mother and daughter Brittany while a 1/1 AD coin was given to Weeks son Arthur IV.

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