Courtesy Photo | Lt. Col. Randy Edwards, center, outgoing First Army Division West chaplain, receives...... read more read more
By Staff Sgt. Tony Foster
Division West Public Affairs
FORT HOOD, Texas – Change of command and change of responsibility ceremonies are routine in the Army. The coming and going of leaders will always be a part of our military. However, First Army Division West recently recognized a change of leadership with a less-than-routine ceremony.
Soldiers in the division bid farewell to their spiritual leader in a Change of Stole and retirement ceremony at the 25th Street Chapel near division headquarters here Dec. 14.
“It was a distinct honor and privilege to host this particular ceremony,” said Maj. Gen. Perry Wiggins, Division West commanding general.
Transferring the stole – a long, plain, black cloth worn around the neck – is similar to a command’s leadership passing the unit’s guidon during a change of command ceremony.
“The changing of the stole symbolizes the transference of spiritual leadership and responsibility from one chaplain to the other,” said Chap. (Lt. Col.) Randy Edwards, out-going Division West chaplain. “It signifies God’s hand on this position.”
The ceremony is an important event, and it can be met with some melancholy emotions.
“Ceremonies like these are bittersweet, unfortunately, because you have to say goodbye to someone,” Wiggins said.
Wiggins conducted the Change of Stole by transferring it from Edwards to the new Division West chaplain.
| Date Taken: | 12.17.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 12.18.2012 11:29 |
| Story ID: | 99485 |
| Location: | FORT HOOD, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 116 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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