404th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade Welcomes New Commander

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Bryan Spreitzer | Col. Byron Lloyd of Springfield, Illinois, outgoing commander of the 404th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade (MEB), addresses the Soldiers of the MEB during their change of command ceremony Nov. 5 at the Heartland Community College Gymnasium in Normal, Illinois. Lloyd said he was proud of how far the unit had come since taking command and thanked his former Soldiers. (U.S. Army National Guard Photo by Sgt.1st Class Bryan Spreitzer, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs)  

NORMAL, IL, UNITED STATES

11.05.2017

Story by Sgt. 1st Class Bryan Spreitzer 

Joint Force Headquarters - Illinois National Guard Public Affairs

NORMAL, Illinois – The 404th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade (MEB) based in Normal, Illinois, conducted a change of command ceremony Nov. 5 at the Heartland Community College Gymnasium in Normal, Illinois. During the ceremony, Col. Craig Holan of Litchfield, Illinois, took command of the 404th MEB from Col. Byron Lloyd of Springfield, Illinois.
Lloyd said he is proud of how far the unit has come since he took command and he thanked his former Soldiers.

“We, and when I say we, that’s you out there in the crowd, have responded to the call every time the Illinois National Guard has asked,” said Lloyd. “I truly thank you Soldiers that stand in front of me today for the last two and a half years of service to me and for always answering the call.”

Holan said he is excited and honored to be trusted with command of the 404th and praised Lloyd.

“I’m very happy to be here today,” said Holan. “I feel blessed to be following in Col. Lloyd’s footsteps, he’s led the way in true engineer fashion. He’s been a mentor to me throughout my Illinois National Guard career.”

Holan said he and Lloyd served together in Afghanistan and joked about one of his favorite mementos.

“One of my favorite desk-side photos is of me and Col. Lloyd standing in a minefield in Afghanistan,” said Holan. “It’s not the smartest thing to do, but it is the engineer thing to do.”

Holan acknowledged that change can be challenging, but asked his new Soldiers to be ready and embrace it.

“Change can be difficult, you never change until you step out of your comfort zone,” said Holan. “I ask that each and every one of you work with me and embrace whatever changes come. It will make the 404th better, the Illinois Army National Guard better and the Army better.”

• Date Taken: 11.05.2017
• Date Posted: 11.07.2017 15:57
• Story ID: 254500
• Location: NORMAL, IL, US