Photo By Staff Sgt. Quanesha Barnett | Soldiers with 17th Field Artillery Brigade bid farewell to Brigade Command Sgt. Maj....... read more read more
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JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. – The 17th Field Artillery Brigade held a change of responsibility ceremony for the outgoing brigade command sergeant major, Command Sgt. Maj. Edward E. Russell, and the incoming command sergeant major, Command Sgt. Maj. Freddie J. Barbary, Jan. 23 at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Lewis North.
Soldiers in each battalion within the brigade stood in a formation to celebrate the change of responsibility ceremony from Russell to Barbary.
During the ceremony, Col. Tim F. Kehoe, 17th FAB commander, talked about the mission he accomplished with Russell and how he will be truly missed.
“For the last two and half years, Russell spent early mornings and late nights fully dedicated to the health, welfare and readiness of this formation,” said Kehoe. “He dedicated himself to the Soldiers and the mission.”
“Soldiers of the Thunderbolt Brigade, I am extremely proud to say you are truly some of the Army’s finest, and I thank you for your hard work, motivation and dedication,” said Russell. “As leaders and noncommissioned officers, you must never forget that you are leading our most precious tool in our Army, the Soldiers. You must never forget, who and where the Soldiers came from. If you don’t know, then open your minds to this.”
“George Peck once wrote, I was that which others did not want to be. I went where others feared to go and did what others failed to do. I asked nothing from those who gave and reluctantly accepted the thought of eternal loneliness should I fail. I’ve seen the face of terror, felt the stinging cold of fear and enjoyed the sweetest taste of a moment’s love,” said Russell. “I cried, pained and hoped but most of all I have lived times others would say were best forgotten. At least someday I will be able to say that I was proud of what I was, A Soldier.”
During his tenure as command sergeant major, Russell led the 17th FAB, Headquarters and Headquarters Battery on a nine-month deployment to the Central Command area of responsibility. The discipline, dedication and motivation that he instilled in Soldiers while deployed led to a successful execution of the mission.
Soldiers and families watched as the brigade sword was inspected and passed from Russell, relinquishing his responsibilities to Barbary.
“I will assure you that we will continue to uphold traditions and high standards in this brigade, ready when called to accomplish our mission,” said Barbary.
| Date Taken: | 01.28.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 01.28.2015 14:43 |
| Story ID: | 152958 |
| Location: | JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, WA, US |
| Hometown: | PITTSBURG, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 433 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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