Photo By Staff Sgt. Takita Lawery | Brig. Gen. William A. Turner, Deputy Commanding General, Ist Infantry Division,...... read more read more
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Fort Riley and the local community joined together to say goodbye to Lt. Gen. Perry L. Wiggins as he retired during a Victory with Honors ceremony Sept. 30 at the division’s headquarters on Fort Riley.
Wiggins’ career spanned 33 years of service from Europe to the Middle East, with various command positions in units including the 1st Infantry Division at Fort Riley, Kansas, First Army Division West at Fort Hood, Texas, and finally deputy commanding general of United States Army North where he then took command until August 2016.
To start the ceremony, retired Maj. Gen. Virgil L. Packett II, one of Wiggins’ mentors, said that Wiggins was a kind, compassionate and patriotic leader.
“Even his dogs were patriotic,” Packett said, telling the crowd about Wiggins’ three Labrador retrievers whose coats appear to shine red, white and blue in the sun.
Wiggins previously served with the “Big Red One” as the assistant division commander for maneuver and then the commander of the 1st Infantry Division and Fort Riley in 2008.
Wiggins said he came back to Fort Riley to retire because of the 73 degree weather and perfect sunshine, but most of all because Kansas is a great place to come home to and a great place to be.
“I want to thank the Big Red One for letting me come home and retire at the greatest division in our Army,” Wiggins said.
Packett, who retired in 2008, also described Wiggins as being a good example of what every Soldier should want to be.
“When I said you were a good example, I meant that you were the best example,” Packett said, “the kind of example of a Soldier that we always wanted to be, the kind of example of a loving father that we wanted to be and the kind of example of a citizen that we wanted to be.”
During the ceremony, Wiggins reflected on how the Army has changed so much since 1983 when he joined. He reminisced about what popular music and movies were out during that time, the bell bottoms and long Jheri curled hair that was popular, how the Washington Redskins were Super Bowl champions and how the Army uniforms have changed several times.
“Just as things have changed since 1983, the Army has also changed throughout the past 33 years and I’ve had the distinguished honor to serve,” Wiggins said. “Throughout all the changes, there’s one thing that remained constant, the things that I’m thankful for — family and friends.”
During the ceremony, Wiggins and his wife, Annette, were presented various awards. Annette was awarded the Civilian Meritorious Volunteer Service Medal, DoD Certificate of Appreciation and the Lady Victory pendent. Wiggins was awarded the Defense Service Medal, the Mexican Military Merit Medal-First Class and a certificate of appreciation.
Wiggins will go on to serve as the executive director of the Kansas Governor’s Military Council.
“As this chapter draws to an end, I will miss putting on a uniform and standing next to some of the finest people this nation has to offer,” Wiggins stated.
| Date Taken: | 09.30.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 10.20.2016 11:28 |
| Story ID: | 212460 |
| Location: | FORT RILEY, KS, US |
| Web Views: | 183 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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