Photo By Sgt. Mark Cloutier | The 201st Battlefield Surveillance Brigade commander, Col. Paul Norwood (left), passes...... read more read more
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JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. - For the second time in as many weeks, the 201st Battlefield Surveillance Brigade assembled at Watkins Field, in observance of yet another very important event. Soldiers, family and friends took to the bleachers to watch, as the 201st BfSB welcomed its new command sergeant major, Dayron Vargas, and bid farewell to departing Command Sgt. Maj. Mark Thornton, in a change of responsibility ceremony, May 18.
During an award ceremony, Col. Paul Norwood, 201st BfSB commander, took a moment to honor the Thorntons’ dedicated service.
“Our brigade has been the beneficiary of the service of the Thornton family for the past 42 months – not just us, but the Joint Base Lewis-McChord community and our I Corps teammates,” Norwood said.
Norwood and the 201st BfSB took a moment to recognize the Thorntons’ service to the Army and to the Army family.
On behalf of the president of the United States, Norwood presented the Legion of Merit, to Thornton, for exceptionally meritorious service while serving as the 201st BfSB command sergeant major. Kathie Thornton received a commander’s award for her years of public service. Kathie served as an adviser to the Family Readiness Group, and was, for four years, the leader of the “Trees for Troops” program here at JBLM.
“Sometimes it felt like 42 days - sometimes like 42 years … but it’s always been wonderful,” said Kathie Thornton.
Thornton and his wife Kathie both, humbly and modestly, deflected the credit for their awards back onto those soldiers and families whom they have worked with and served.
Norwood welcomed soldiers, family members and guests to the ceremony before introducing the arriving and departing command sergeants major. Norwood, Thornton and Vargas each took their turn at the microphone to enthusiastically embrace and reaffirm their respective positions and professional relationships before making their way to the parade field.
Somewhere near the middle of Watkins Field, and witnessed by all in attendance, the non-commissioned officer sword was drawn and handed to Thornton. Thornton ceremoniously passed the sword to Norwood, who, in turn, passed it on to incoming Vargas. This act signified the change of responsibility.
Vargas, a Ponce, Puerto Rico native, comes to JBLM from Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. He said that he’s excited to be here and that he looks forward to taking care of the non-commissioned officers and soldiers of the 201st.
“I want these soldiers to know that I am here to serve them,” said Vargas. “Sgt. Maj. Thornton has done a wonderful job here and I look forward to continuing that effort.”
The 201st hosted a post-ceremony luncheon where many people met as the collective 201st BfSB Army family embraced the Vargas family. At the same time, they issued a fond farewell to the Thorntons as they head to Fort Meade, Md., where Thornton will serve as the 704th Military Intelligence Brigade’s senior enlisted adviser.
| Date Taken: | 05.18.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 05.21.2012 19:30 |
| Story ID: | 88757 |
| Location: | JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, WASHINGTON, US |
| Web Views: | 363 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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