'Thunderbolt' soldiers look to future under new commander

Photo By Staff Sgt. Jennifer Atkinson | The 56th Infantry Brigade Combat Team assembled for the brigade change of command at the Fort Worth Stock Yards, April 21, 2012.  

FORT WORTH, TX, UNITED STATES

04.22.2012

Story by Staff Sgt. Jennifer Atkinson 

36th Infantry Division (TXARNG)

FORT WORTH, Texas - Under a bright blue Texas sky, soldiers of the 56th Infantry Brigade Combat Team moved through the traditional change of command ceremony here at the Fort Worth Stock Yard on April 21. From the formation, presentation, and review of the troops, each step, salute and turn brought Col. Jeff Breor and Col. Charles “Chuck” Aris closer to the final change command, symbolized by the passing of the unit flag, or guidon.
For Breor, the day was both the culmination of a successful tenure as brigade commander and a day of nostalgic pride. “As great as a day as it is to be a Texas soldier, it's a bittersweet day to be this Texas soldier, for this moment marks my last as a soldier serving within the 56th IBCT, serving alongside the best people I've ever known,” Breor said.

Taking command of the 56th IBCT in January 2010, he spent the next two years training these Texas citizen-soldiers to answer both the call at a state and national level.

“Two and a half years ago I opened this command, talking about my pride and amazement at how well the soldiers of this force have answered the call time and time again over the years...and as I close out this command we are preparing another 400 soldiers to yet again answer the call doing various dangerous things in Afghanistan.”

“My pride in who you are and what you do is without bounds, my obligation to you is undefinable, my love for you and your families is without limits, and of course my commitment to you will always define who I am,” said Breor. “My heart will always be with the soldiers of the 56th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.”

With over 29 years of military service Breor has served in a number of key staff position to include commanding the 2nd Bn., 142nd ‘High Plains’ Inf. Reg. as it mobilized, trained and deployed to Iraq as part of the 56th Brigade Combat Team. The battalion received the Meritorious Unit Commendation for their service in Iraq.

Breor steps down from command of the 56th IBCT, he will train Texas soldiers for a deployment to Afghanistan.

Aris, surveying his new brigade, looked toward a strong future with the 56th IBCT.

“It is appropriate we are here in the historic stockyards looking out over a historic unit,” said Aris. “I recognize the sacrifices you have made...wherever our country has asked, you have gone and I am blessed to be here today.”

“To the soldiers, non-commissioned officers and officers of the brigade, thank you for the fine service and I look forward to the challenges ahead,” he said.

Aris, local resident and graduate of Texas A&M University, entered the Texas Army National Guard in 1992 where he has enjoyed great success in various key leader positions to include, commander of 4th Battalion, 112th Armored Regiment during a deployment to Kosovo and also serving as the chief operations officer for the 36th Inf. Div. in support of Operation New Dawn.

Gen. James K. “Red” Brown, the senior officer presiding over the change of command expressed his pride in the brigade soldiers standing in formation. “I want to thank each soldier standing in this formation for what you do for your country,” said Brown. “Every day that you wear the cloth of the nation you and your family, make a difference for freedom.”

• Date Taken: 04.22.2012
• Date Posted: 04.23.2012 11:13
• Story ID: 87181
• Location: FORT WORTH, TX, US