U.S. Army Garrison Fort Buchanan welcomes Col. Bass

Photo By Spc. Anthony Martinez | U.S. Army Garrison Commander Fort Buchanan Col. Guy D. Bass, welcomes Command Sgt. Maj. of the 1st Mission Support Command, Orlando Santiago to the reception after the U.S. Army Garrison Fort Buchanan Change of Command ceremony held at Maj. Gen. (R) Felix A. Santoni Building on Fort Buchanan, May 31.  

GUAYNABO, PUERTO RICO

05.31.2017

Story by Spc. Anthony Martinez 

1st Mission Support Command

FORT BUCHANAN, Puerto Rico – Col. Michael T. Harvey relinquished command to Col. Guy D. Bass during the U.S. Army Garrison Fort Buchanan change of command ceremony held at Soldiers Plaza, Fort Buchanan, on May 31.

Family, friends, leaders and community members gathered to witness this momentous event. The passing of the Garrison flag, or colors, represents a formal transfer of authority and responsibility from one flag officer to another. The passing of the colors from an outgoing commander to an incoming one ensures that the unit and its Soldiers is never without official leadership, a continuation of trust, and also signifies an allegiance of Soldiers to their unit’s commander.

In this centuries-old ceremony, the flag was first presented by Command Sgt. Maj. Luis A. Rosario Velez, who passed the colors to the outgoing commander, Harvey, who in turn passed the flag to Ms. Brenda Lee McCullough, relinquishing his command and gratitude for the opportunity to lead Soldiers.

This moment is symbolic of the transfer of command.

Ms. McCullough then transferred the colors to Bass, entrusting him with the responsibility and care of the Installation. Bass accepted the flag from McCullough as he assumed command of U.S. Army Garrison Fort Buchanan, before returning the flag to Rosario to complete the change of command ceremony.

McCullough, director of Installation Management Command (IMCOM) – Readiness, highlighted some significant accomplishments that Harvey achieved during his two years as garrison commander.

“Commanding a Garrison today is tough,” said McCullough. ”Throughout this demanding time, Col. Harvey led and managed all challenges through collaboration, strategic planning, and numerous partnerships.”

Col. Harvey received the Legion of Merit Medal for his outstanding job as a commander.

The Legion of Merit Medal is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service. Superior performance of normal duties will not alone justify the award of this decoration. This military medal is not awarded for heroism, but rather service and achievement while performing functions in a key position of responsibility.

“It is a sad and a glorious day,” said Harvey. “To the new command team of Guy Bass and his wife Marybeth, you got a great crew here, and you have a lot of great partners. I know you are going to continue to do great things.”

Harvey heads to his new assignment, 335th Signal Command in East Point, Georgia.

“When I think of Fort Buchanan, I think of the word service,” said Col. Bass. “We will continue to build upon this culture and expand upon the relationships made. And finally, every day when we wake up, we will know that we work for you.”

Bass comes from the 11th Theater Aviation Command located on Fort Knox in Kentucky, where he served as Deputy Director of Operations.

• Date Taken: 05.31.2017
• Date Posted: 06.03.2017 12:31
• Story ID: 236251
• Location: GUAYNABO, PR