Photo By Maj. Lindsay Roman | The 18th Airborne Corps Commander, Lt. Gen. Stephen J. Townsend, passes the 35th...... read more read more
FORT GORDON, Ga. —Hundreds of Soldiers, family members and supporters of the 35th Signal Brigade (Theater Tactical) braved the summer heat to bear witness to the brigade’s change of command on Barton Field, June 26, 2015.
The 35th TTSB change of command celebrated the tenure of Col. Robert L. Edmonson II, the departing brigade commander, and welcomed the incoming commander Col. Charles P. Daly.
During his two years as the brigade commander, Edmonson led elements of the brigade through six deployments, from small group to battalion in size, in support of worldwide missions.
“The troopers that stand before you are the most rapid deployable signal troopers in 18th Airborne Corps, (U.S. Forces Command), and perhaps even the United States Army,” said Edmonson in his speech at the ceremony. “At this very moment members of the Lion Brigade are deployed to Southwest Asia, South America, while also providing world class expeditionary communications in support of multiple commandant commanders as well as the global response force.”
At the time of his departure, Edmonson commanded more than 2,200 Soldiers in four battalions spanning three different states and four installations across the country.
“The 35th Signal Brigade allows tactical, operational and strategic leaders to turn network access into national instruments of power,” said Edmonson a native of Willingboro, New Jersey. “Our outstanding men and women enable commanders to out think their adversaries, out pace their adversaries, out perform their adversaries, and if that’s not enough, destroy our adversaries. Freedom begins and ends with the ability to communicate intent.”
Much of Edmonson’s command was spent traveling to each installation and advocating for the brigade, which often kept him away from his wife Ellen and son’s Robert III and Alexander.
“Ellen, it's your love and commitment to our family that allows me to go to work each day,” said Edmonson to his wife during his speech. “And as I've publically stated before, I believe that the Army's kept me around, not so much for what I bring to the troopers, as it is what you bring to the families. I admire the way that interact with spouses and (Family Readiness Group) leaders; passing along your lessons learned to the next generation. Our Army is stronger today because of you.”
In a private ceremony before the change of command, the Edmonson family was presented with awards for their significant contributions to the 35th TTSB family by both Lt. Gen. Stephen J. Townsend, the 18th Airborne Corps commander, and Brig. Gen. John W. Baker, 7th Signal Command (Theater) commander.
“You’ll hear about that this 35th Signal Brigade has done, all of them required leadership and as much as the Soldiers do the hard work it requires a leader to direct what hard work is going to be done and provide that purpose, direction and motivation to get the hard work done. That’s what this leadership team has done,” said Townsend about the Edmonson family during the award presentation.
Edmonson attributed much of his success as a commander to the support of his family and friends and those he has served alongside for his past 25 years of service.
“Regardless of how accomplished one thinks they are, leaders should remain humble, humble enough to accept the fact that we could not have succeeded without the support and sacrifice of others,” said Edmonson.
Following his command of the 35th TTSB, Edmonson goes to the Pentagon to work as the executive officer for the Army Chief Information Officer/G6 and leaves the command of the 35th TTSB to Daly.
“Serving in the 18th Airborne Corps and in this great brigade is very humbling, and even more so as I follow Rob Edmonson,” said Daly, native of Emerson, New Jersey, in his speech. “Rob thank you and Ellen for your graciousness, transparency and exemplary leadership. I am honored to follow in your footsteps.”
In his speech Edmonson added that he was confident that Daly who came to Fort Gordon after attending the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and his wife Cathy and children Sarah and Matthew, are a perfect addition to the “Lion Brigade” command team and family.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, I’m thankful to have been graced with the opportunity to command the 35th Signal Brigade. I will never that or forget you. Command is an honor; an honor that I’m humbled to have enjoyed,” said Edmonson, signing off as “Lion 6”.
| Date Taken: | 06.26.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 06.30.2015 11:55 |
| Story ID: | 168585 |
| Location: | FORT GORDON, GA, US |
| Hometown: | EMERSON, NJ, US |
| Hometown: | WILLINGBORO, NJ, US |
| Web Views: | 202 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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