Photo By Sgt. Emily Walter | Brig. Gen. Mark W. Corson, left, outgoing commanding general of the 103rd Sustainment...... read more read more
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DES MOINES, Iowa - Brig. Gen. Mark Corson, former commanding general of the 103rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), relinquished command of the unit to Col. Arlan DeBlieck during a ceremony held April 22 at Fort Des Moines. Corson was recently assigned to the position of assistant chief of staff, J-4, with United States Forces–Korea.
The ceremony began with an invocation and a presentation of the attending units’ colors; the units in attendance were the 649th Regional Support Group, the 644th Regional Support Group, the 561st Regional Support Group, the 89th Sustainment Brigade, and Headquarters and Headquarters Company of the 103rd ESC. The reviewing officer for the event was Maj. Gen. Luis Visot, commanding general of the 377th Theater Sustainment Command.
Visot thanked the service members’ families and community representatives who attended, including representatives from the employer support of the Guard and Reserve, representatives from the Fort Des Moines Museum, and various employers, noting that their support is crucial for service members’ success.
Corson echoed Visot’s sentiments on the value of these supporters, and added an extended gratitude toward his 103rd ESC “family,” whom he led for nearly three years both stateside and during the unit’s deployment to Iraq in 2010.
“This is a little bit of a bittersweet day,” said Corson. “[It is] bitter in the sense that I have to leave this family…sweet in the sense that I turn over the command to a good friend and colleague [DeBlieck]…It has been my privilege to serve with you all.”
Corson added that he would remember his experience with the 103rd ESC “as a highlight of [his] life.”
DeBlieck stoically accepted the 103rd ESC colors as Corson finally handed them off the symbolic “passing of the colors,” signifying DeBlieck’s official acceptance of the position of unit commander. His new responsibility includes overseeing 62 subordinate units and 5,300 soldiers located in seven states. There are approximately 300 soldiers in the 103rd ESC alone. He acknowledged the change, and noted that changes are a natural part of progress.
“Change is not going to quit happening,” said DeBlieck in his closing remarks. “We are going to constantly change…I look forward to working with all of you [in the 103rd ESC] in the future as we move forward.”
Following DeBlieck’s remarks, two 103rd ESC soldiers recognized Corson’s wife, Michelle, and daughter, Ashton, who attended the ceremony. They were given a bouquet of red roses to acknowledge their support of the 103rd ESC during Corson’s command.
The ceremony concluded with retirement of the unit’s colors, finalizing Corson’s relinquishment of command. Although he called it a bittersweet departure, Corson’s final remarks reflected his encouraging attitude about the future of the 103rd ESC.
“No tearful farewells today,” he said. “I will see you again.”
| Date Taken: | 04.22.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 05.01.2012 22:23 |
| Story ID: | 87701 |
| Location: | DES MOINES, IA, US |
| Web Views: | 623 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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