Yeah , for , for some of you that don't
be , I , I don't know me . I'm a , I'm
a little bit lively . So anyway , um
good afternoon , distinguished guests ,
family , friends , and all those tuning
in from across the globe . Welcome to
today's retirement ceremony in honor of
command Sergeant Major , Richard Knott ,
our host and presiding officer for
today's ceremony is Lieutenant General
John B . Morrison Junior , the Army .
He's Deputy Chief of Staff G six .
Today , the United States Army will
honor Sergeant Major Knot on the
occasion of his retirement . After 34
years of dedicated service to our army ,
our nation in the Signal Corps . So
again , welcome , 34 years of dedicated
service . That's amazing . This is not
a funeral . There's great buzz in here
before I like it . I like the energy
this , this in this room . We have old
friends , new friends , good friends ,
work friends , family , friends , all
gathered for one purpose , all gather ,
gathered because of the gravity of one
person . Ladies and gentlemen , we are
here to celebrate . We are here to
celebrate our ne our Sergeant Major's
next step in life , new chapter in all
of our books . So let me help set the
stage for the celebration . Today , we
will bear witness to a ceremony .
Unlike any other you've ever been a
part of , you will hear a world-class
singer . Only moments away , you will
witness a flag ceremony , folding
ceremony that is unique as Sergeant
Major Knott's career . You will be part
of a gift that's truly in rare form by
a historic organization . This is a
celebration . So let's get this party
started . Please rise for the arrival
of the official party and remain
standing for the singing of the
national anthem , followed by the
invocation .
Ladies and gentlemen , the national
anthem will be sung by the legendary
and world-famous , Miss Ann Worse ,
ma'am . Oh ,
so say
lastly who brought stripes
and bright stars ?
The fight for the
that sweet watched was good
evening .
The I was still ,
oh , that door
spangled
all the
and the
uh thank you , Mrs Morrison chaplain
Willie Mayshack . Will you will now
offer the invitation . Come on up check .
Ladies and gentlemen , I ask that you
would join me in spirit and heart as we
go to in prayer . Please bow with me
almighty and everliving God before
whose face the generations rise and
fall without whose daily grace none of
us could stand . It is with thanks and
praise that I lift this prayer to you
on this significant and joyous occasion
for which we have gathered the
retirement of Sergeant Major Richard
Knott . Thank you for bestowing the
necessary graces upon Him to carry out
the many years of hard work , faithful
service and dedication to the United
States army and its citizens . We are
grateful for the tremendous blessings
that have come from his labor and toil
of many years . And we praise you for
the unique ways that you have worked
through this leader . Our times are in
your hands . Oh God . And even in times
of change , you are still God and we
trust in you preserve this family .
During this time of transition . I pray
that this retirement would be a
beautiful new beginning for the knots
family and not the end of a road . May
your presence and continue blessings be
with them , giving them new callings
and new paths inspired by the
possibilities of what lie ahead . I
pray that you will continue to guard in
God the way that they take , bless them .
Oh God with strength , wisdom , courage ,
and peace as they continue to serve you
and others open new doors of service ,
using them in whatever capacity you
choose , that will bring blessings to
many and glory to your name . May a new
rhythm emerge one that forms a
beautiful balance between rest and
engagement with life . Help them to
embrace and enjoy the journey that lies
ahead for you have brought them through
too much to leave them now . And lastly ,
oh God , thank you for what has been
and we are grateful for what is yet to
be . As to not families step into this
new phase of life wherever they go ,
prepare the way , provide the peace and
maintain your faithfulness toward them .
This I ask in the name that is above
every name . Amen .
Yeah . Oh , please be
seated . Yeah . Right .
Ok . Distinguished guests , fellow
soldiers and civilians , family members
and friends . Thank you all for joining
our family in today's event . Before we
begin , let join me in extending a warm
welcome to Command Sar and Major Knot's
family , friends and special guests who
traveled both near and afar to honor
him today . A very special welcome to
his wife , Felicia , daughter , Brianna ,
son , Anthony and his partner , Anna
Mallord , granddaughter , Anastasia
Bell sister , Doctor Regina Akimi , her
husband Isaiah cousin , Lieutenant
Colonel Felicia Arnold and her husband ,
cousin , Command Sergeant Major ,
retired Willie Clements also welcome .
Ma are many close friends who have
traveled n very far and wide to be here ,
including Mr Juani Harper and his wife ,
Doctor Nicole Harper and their Children ,
Jay and Giovanni from Indianapolis . Mr
Dewan Spells and his wife April also
from Indianapolis , start in first
class . Retire Derek Brownie , also
from Indianapolis , Mrs Leslie
Williamson from Baltimore , Maryland ,
Mr Darryl Evans and his partner Jasmine
Nixon , Miss Tamika Dove and her aunt
Star Hudson Black star in first class ,
retired Michael Branley and his wife ,
Doctor Melissa Branley from Charlotte ,
North Carolina , first Sergeant ,
retired Joe Effinger and his wife ,
Tony Command Sergeant major , retired
Cedric Richardson and his wife , Nasha
from Fort Mitchell , Alabama almost
said Cedric , the Entertainer Cedric .
Where , where are you at ? No . Ok .
Just checking . Did it in re in
rehearsals many a time . Massar retired
Eric Eldridge and his wife Kesha from
Augusta , Georgia . Start in first
class Richard Curtis and his wife
Monica from Houston , Texas . Let's
give it up for the family and friends .
All right .
Awesome . Uh , we'd also welcome the
following senior leaders , doctor , I
mean doctor whos major Weemer , Doctor
Markowitz , Lieutenant General Barrett
S Major Nichols and Lieutenant General
Horn , as well as all of the general
officers , senior executives and other
civilian employees , officers , non
commissioned officers active and
retired who have joined us for today's
ceremony . Thank you all for being here .
Yeah . Today we experience one of the
oldest and most tradition rich for
ceremonies in the United States
military , recognizing the service
members as they retire from long and
honorable careers and service to our
great nation . With the ceremony we
celebrate with command Sergeant Major ,
not his family for his 34 years of
faithful service to our nation and the
United States army . Ladies and
gentlemen , I am pleased to present our
host and presiding officer for today's
ceremony , Lieutenant General John B .
Morrison Junior , sir . The floor is
yours .
Yeah . Yeah . Standing up here by
myself .
So it's great to have you here , Doctor
Maritz . All the senior leaders . You
say a word now , I I gotta set the
precedent for you , you know . So when
I first came into the position , you
know , obviously we had the opportunity
because C Major Nichols was heading
down to our cyber to pick a new C major .
I got a list and I didn't do a whole
lot of interviews . I called up Marie
and I said , how bad would something
hurt ? So I , so I
figured I'd start with that . Yeah .
And give her a chance to say a few
words .
Sorry , not . So as I thought about
this last night , three words came to
mind . Reputation range and
relationships , reputation ,
I didn't know many of the candidates
that were coming i
your reputation . Um , you know , you
do your homework and you came to the
interview and everything that I heard
about you , I could see in the
interview and when you showed up ,
everything was still the sort of
it matters . And I was very fortunate
that , um , you join the team .
It was , we were in the full throes of
COVID at that point . And so , um ,
interesting time to arrive , uh , out
of Port Wacha . Uh , and that leads me
to my second word , which is range
stepping up into a two star nominative
position in a , in a very complex
organization like Netcom . Um , you
dove into everything , uh , you
brought your experience from your
previous assignments , but as you know ,
you don't come with everything in your
tool bag as you as you dove right in
and , and you were willing to put the
work in to understand what it was that
we were doing in the broader part of
how we fit in yours . And , um , I
think that's probably the reason why
you took them
for the record . I only borrowed ,
I knew that this day would come . I
knew you had , you were a three star
nominative material and the timing what
I said to Gerald Morrison at the time
when he called after I got through
crying , um , was I knew , uh , as I
drove home that night that the three
star nominative position only comes up
every once in a blue moon . And if I
didn't let you go now , you know it
right place right time . And um this
was the best thing even . And then
there's relationships , you know , not
only did I have a great battle buddy .
Uh But Felicia and I , and for people
who know my husband , he is an acquired
taste . Um
This was the first time where , you
know , my battle buddy and I and my
husband and the spouse had a
relationship that was um really
meaningful to all of us . And I just so
enjoyed the time that we were at what
sugar together . And it was just an
experience that um will cherish and
the gift that you gave to neck home ,
the gift you've given to the army , the
gift that you gave to us personally . I
wanted ,
I'm not going to cry .
Donna . Thank you very much for joining
us . Yeah . Wow . The
uh so I'm not even sure how to start
describing so major or not . Uh I do
like the , the three R's . I think
that's great . But when it all comes
down to it , when you think about what
kind of leader Sarma nod is , it's his
ability to impact people no matter what
their background is , no matter where
they're from , no matter what stove
pipe of the army they're trying to
support . He is a guy that can walk in
and it is an art . He can get people to
take something and make it their idea
and they never even know that he gave
it to them . You know , and , and you
just don't see that kind of , I will
say it , strategic leadership and the
ability at a personal level to really
connect with folks . I have watched
this guy for many , many , many years .
I've watched him drive change when he
was down at the signal school
completely . So go
completely changing the way that we
train our signal soldiers . I watched
him walk the halls of the Pentagon and
all the shaping that he did to help us
start moving forward . This notion of a
unified network . I've watched him deal
with people that are a little raspier
than others and make them calm and just
a part of the team until
I would submit to you what all of our
legacy should be our people . I would
tell , sorry , major . Not that all you
have to do is look around this room and
you can see the legacy of the people .
We're , we're working on that . The
legacy of people that are in this room
and the countless that are on the
screen that you have touched over the
years . Every single one of us is
better because we have known it yet .
Yeah .
So in case you all haven't noticed and ,
and I did shower today , he keeps
drifting away because
this is , this is him a humble servant
leader who doesn't really feel
comfortable with everything being about
him yet today . It is about you
and your incredible family . So , as
much as Annie and I just love s Major
knot , we really love evil .
You know , you , you , you talk about
somebody that just supports her husband
to no end so that he can get done what
he needs to . Uh That's be enough
last week . So our major was in Korea .
It's ti it's Wednesday if retirement is
today and yet right up to the end
supporting him , so he could do the
things that he needed to do because we
hadn't been to Korea in a hot minute ,
you know , so to the entire family ,
thank you so very much for all your
love and support of our major . Not he
could not have done what he has done
without you all and quite
frankly , you have touched our hearts
as well . How about a year round ?
Because when I think of command teams
and people leading as a team , I do
think of the nuts and it is just
tremendous , the impact that you both
have had on our soldiers and our
families . So again , thank you very ,
very much . So , today marks the end
of 34 years of service to our nation .
Um , but I will tell you , I think it
is the start of a wonderful next
exciting chapter for The Knot Family .
And I know I don't know what it is ,
but I know somewhere out there you're
gonna find a way to serve and make
people better . So , are you ready to
do this ? Are you sure we could read
the list one more time ? So , so I got
the realist my paperwork right here .
All you need to do is endorse it .
That's our major . What do you think we
do have ? We do you literally have ?
That's ok . Tell him it's not happening ,
it's not happening . All right , with
that , if we can go ahead and to the
order . All right . Ok .
All right , ladies and gentlemen ,
please remain seated for the
presentation of the distinguished
service medal , Letters of Appreciation ,
the retirement certificate and the
American flag . All right , go ahead
and bring forward the , the award and
the certificate . Yeah , thanks . This
is to certify that the president of the
United States of America , authorized
by the Act of Congress July 9th , 1918 ,
has awarded the distinguished service
medal to Sergeant Major Richard D Knott .
United States Army for exceptionally
meritorious service in a duty of great
responsibility . 17 , April 2021 to 31 .
October 2024 .
All right . Mas
just , just keep throwing it this way .
Yeah , it's my fault , sir . Lieutenant
General Morrison will now present the
command . Sorry , Major . Nat with
letters of appreciation from the
Secretary of Defense , sir . I'm , I'm
not gonna read all these , you know ,
Secretary of Defense
pictures , pictures , pictures .
Yeah . Secretary of the army
chief of staff of the army
and the sergeant major of the army
that something is fundamentally
wrong with me giving the ,
especially the way it's here .
You know , he's waiting on that .
All right . Our major or not .
Sorry , major . Not also received
letters of appreciation for former
commanders in chief , including
President Donald Trump . President
George W Bush , President Bill Clinton
and President Barack Obama . Lieutenant
General Morrison will now present
commands our major knot with a
certificate of retirement from the
armed forces of the United States and
the Department of the Army Retirement .
P Yeah .
No . Right .
All right . The certificate , there's
been more
apropos .
All right . The certificate reads to
all who shall see these presents .
Greetings command our major , Richard D
not having served faithfully and
honorably was retired from the United
States Army on the 31st day of October
2024 signed Randy A George General ,
United States Army chief of staff .
Ladies and gentlemen , we will now
present commands are major knots .
Retirement orders which I will say it
again . Remain seated . When I say
attention to orders , the people of the
United States expressed their thanks
and grat to you for your faithful
service . Your contributions to the
defense of the United States of America
are greatly appreciated . You are
released from active duty as of 31
October 2024 and placed on the retired
list as of 1 November 2024 by order of
the Secretary of the Army .
All right , II I , all right .
All right . You take , you can take
your seat , sir . You won't be seated
seated for the next piece right here
because the a team from the 21st Signal
Brigade will now present the American
flight command . Sorry , major , not a
special . This special presentation
begins with a brief video . I am the
flag of the United States of America .
My name is old glory .
I fly atop the world's tallest
buildings . I stand
watch in America's Halls of Justice .
I fly majestically over the great
institutions of learning .
I stand guard with the greatest
military power in the world .
Look up and see me .
I stand for peace , honor , truth
and justice . I stand for freedom .
I'm arrogant . I am proud
when I am flown with my fellow banners .
My head is a little higher , my color ,
a little truer .
I vow to no one . I am
recognized all over the world .
I am worshiped . I am saluted .
I am respected . I am revered .
I am loved
and I am feared . I have
fought every battle of every war for
more than 200 years . Gettysburg ,
San Juan Hill , the trenches of France ,
Rome , the beaches of Normandy ,
the cane fields and the Philippines ,
the rice patties and jungles of Guam ,
Japan , Korea , Vietnam ,
the dry , hot , lonely Afghanistan and
Iraq and a score of
places long forgotten by all . But
those who were with me .
I was there . I led my soldiers .
I followed them . I watched over them .
They loved me . I was
on a small hill in Iwo , Jima . I was
battle worn and tired , but my
soldiers cheered me and I was proud .
I have been soiled , burned , grown and
trampled on the streets of countries .
I have help set free . It does not hurt
for I am invincible . I had been soiled ,
burned , torn and trampled on the
streets of my country . And when it is
by those with whom I have served in
battle , it hurts but I shall overcome
for I am strong . I have
slipped the bonds of earth and I stand
watch over the uncharted new frontiers
of space . From my vantage point on
the move . I have been a silent witness
to all of America's finest hours , but
my finest hours comes when I am torn
into strips to be used for bandages for
my wounded comrades on the field of
battle . When I fly at half mast to
honor my soldiers . And when I lie
in the trembling arms of a grieving
mother at the gravesite of
her fallen son . I am proud .
My name is old glory ,
dear God . Long may I wave
a symbol of regulation . It is a
tradition for the United States that
station to
commemorate the years of self service .
They dedicated the country . Have you
ever noticed that the honor guard pays
meticulous attention to directly
holding the American flag 13 times .
You probably thought it was , it was to
symbolize the 13 colonies . The
first fold of the flag as a symbol of
life . This second
bold is a symbol of the belief in
eternal life . The third
bold is made in honor of remembrance of
the veterans departing the ranks who
gave a portion of their lives for the
defense of the country to attain peace
throughout the world . The fourth fold
represents the weaker nature for as
American citizens , trusting in God .
It is to him . We turn in times of
peace as well as in times of war for
his divine guidance . The fifth bold is
to serve this country . What are the
words ? If they are our country in
dealing with other countries ? They
should always be right , but it's still
our country . I don't know the sixth
ball from where people's hearts lie is
with their heart and they pledge
allegiance to the play of the United
States of America and to the Republic
for which it stands . One nation under
God indivisible with liberty and
justice . The seventh goal who
contribute to the armed forces first
through the armed forces that they
protect their country and their life
against all enemies , whether they be
found within or without the boundaries
of faith . Old is a tribute to the one
who ever been into the valley of the
shadow of death that we may see . The
life day . The ninth fold is a tribute
to womanhood and mothers for it's been
through their faith , their love ,
loyalty and devotion that the character
of men and women who have made this
country great has been molded . The
10th fold is a tribute to the father
for he too has given his sons and
daughters for the defense of their
country since they were first born .
The 11th fold represents the lower
portion of the seal of King David and
King Solomon and glorifies in the
Hebrew's eyes , the God of Abraham
Isaac and Jacob
the 12th fold represents an emblem of
eternity and glorifies in the Christian
eyes , God , the Father , the Son and
the Holy Spirit . The 13th and final
fold is when the flag is completely
folded , the stars are uppermost ,
reminding them of the nation's motto .
And God we trust after the flight is
completely folded and tucked in . It
takes on the appearance of a
revolutionary war era cocked hat ever
reminding us of the soldiers who served
under General George Washington and the
sailors and marines who served under
Captain John Paul Jones , who were
followed by their comrades and
shipmates in the armed forces of the
United States , preserving for them
rights and privileges and freedoms that
they enjoy today .
All right . Well , Mrs Knapp , please
join Lieutenant General Morrison and
command . Sorry , major upfront .
Come on up . Mrs Knott will now
receive a Department of the Army
certificate of appreciation .
The certificate reads , Miss Belicia
Mrs Felicia . Not on the occasion of
the retirement of your spouse from the
United States army has earned grateful
appreciation for your own unselfish ,
faithful and devoted service , your
unfailing support and understanding
help make possible your spouse's
lasting contributions to the nation .
Sign the chief of Staff , United Safes
Army .
In addition , Mrs Knot will receive the
public service accommodation medal .
The certificate reads , this is to
certify that the Secretary of the Army
has awarded the public service
accommodation medal to Mrs Belicia M
Knot for exceptionally outstanding
service in support of the United States
army during the period of 19 May , 1996
October ,
what is it ? We are correcting date
surface . I all right , during her
years of service as an army spouse .
This is not substantially impact of a
multitude of army organizations and
communities , her compassion ,
dedication and sincere concern for all
members of the army team , soldiers ,
civilians and family members have
bettered all the lives . She has
touched and earned extraordinary
respect and admiration , distinctive
contributions of Mrs Felicia am not ,
aren't keeping with the highest
traditions of the military service and
reflect great credit upon her . The
Deputy Chief of Staff G six and the
United States army sign John B .
Morrison junior lieutenant general of
the US Army Deputy Chief of Staff G six .
So it's open right now . You , you may
be seated , sir . You also , you can
see it over here , sir . Yeah , I just
checking , you know , yeah , multiple
chairs you can just sit in and say , oh ,
don't go anywhere . S major . Oh yeah ,
so you may not know this , but s major
requested to open mic night . Now , I
asked a few people if they're
interested in coming up here and say
some words , you know . So , you know ,
I , I , I'll put them on account , you
know , but I would say at this time ,
I'd like to invite any other leaders
here today who wish to share their
memories of commands . Star and Major
Knots and this is not service you can
do . So this is not an open invitation
to roast them though . All right ,
anyone . Ok . All right . Go for it ,
sir . Floors yard oh , tag team .
Where's Spot four .
So , um
uh what I would tell you about Sag
or not is he's a change agent .
I had the great fortune that F I made
my battle buddy , the 516 single
brigade . I'm gonna tell you that um no
commander can be successful
without a next to there or something .
I have a great with
me . He's a
great , great battle buddy and uh he
takes care of people and he is very
candid on how he give you feedback and
I appreciated that because it made me a
better leader and I can't thank you .
Congratulations . Sorry .
The Bible says a man who finds a wife
finds a good thing . And so we
at least you're not in our chapel
because of the way her husband treats
her . I always comment about this to my
husband . Ok .
He treats her like the queen . She is .
I just wanted to publicly acknowledge
that it takes a special man to show
that kind of love to your spouse all
the time . And so she knows how
appreciated she is . And we all know
because we see the love that you share
every congratulations to you and we
receive
not rehearsed . So uh many of us in
here have taken 360 assessments and
they give us a chance to see ourselves ,
learn ourselves , maybe find a little
few blind spots that are out there as a
brigade commander , as a colonel that
many of you have been or are today .
You know , you kind of feel like , you
know it all as a brigade commander and
what I will never forget is one of my
battalion commanders pulling me aside
saying , hey , sir , let's go do pt one
morning down there in Georgia pretty
hot . We ran about 4568 , 1012 miles
and he pulled me aside and there I am
sitting down as a brigade commander and
he's talking to me about how I'm being
perceived or can be perceived
by battalion commander or battalion
commanders . Now , look , that's
doesn't mean that anything was highly
negative . That's not the point . The
point here is he was what he saw was
that I could make those battalion
commanders better . And the reality is
he made those battalion commanders
better that morning when he coached me
on the way in which I could be
perceived , straightforward type a the
job done left , right left and maybe I
shouldn't lead every single battalion
commander the exact same way , but I
need to tailor my leadership style to
fit the knee . I didn't see that . I
probably wouldn't even see it today if
that man had not taken me on a 456 mile
run .
Yeah , he said , no ,
you know , Colonel Jacobson said this
is not a , you know , funeral , but it
is a sad day . It really is because our
battle buddy is calling it a day . But
you know , a true mentor , a friend and
somebody that was always looking out
for everyone as you got it , that has
been described this afternoon is that ,
you know , he reached out to everyone .
It didn't matter who you were from the
private all the way to the sergeant
major to even him me up sometime , Jack ,
what are you doing ? You know , but our
major , you know , if we're gonna miss
you . And like I said , it's , it's a
sad day for me because you've been a
battle buddy for me for the last , you
know , 15 years now . Um , and kind of
going through the process and , you
know , kind of going through the , the
nominative process and all these other
things we do . But it's also
understanding what the soldiers are
doing out there and getting down into
the roots of , uh , you know , how do
we employ those service members ? It's
our major , not , you know , he sits in
this position up here at the G six and
he looks out for everyone . So I really
appreciate everything you've done for
me , also my family . Uh , but , you
know , supporting our entire signal
team .
Well , uh , hey , so I may not , I've
had a lot of great conversations over
the years and I will tell you that
whatever the conversation was about ,
it was always about what he could do ,
what we could do for soldiers , whether
they were singles or the army at large .
And his conversations always had the
army's interest at heart . And I will
tell you he's had a lasting impact on
me , but more importantly on our army
and soldiers and I just wanna tell you .
Thank you .
So ,
yeah , got one more . Come on through ,
got one more . But you know , so me all
my visitor pass this and they're gonna
have to , you know , we're gonna have
to be going . So last one I want to
speak on behalf of uh the 1 23rd signal
Battalion . There's a lot of us in here ,
uh that came out here . Some of those
names were mentioned . Uh My name was
first uh ty , first on page , I was saw
not first off . Um I can only say and
reiterate on a lot of the things that
all you said about this guy . It's ,
it's , it's deep . He know that I'm not
the kind of guy that like to cry either ,
but at the same time , I'm gonna hold
it in because this is a very special
day for us . We came down from Fort
Stewart just to see this and uh thank ,
I'm , I'm gonna say this to you all out
there in the audience that work with
her . I met him in 1996 and uh we went
from rank to rank to rank from drill
sergeants to all other good stuff along
the way . This guy has been the epitome
of nothing but an excellent soldier
throughout . It started way back . This
just didn't start here . So you saw
Major , spoke about major , I don't
know the Tsar Major , but I know that ,
that staff sergeant , I know that it
started first class . I know that first
son that Dr saw and all the other good
stuff to include the family . We , uh ,
we're gonna do , we're gonna turn this
thing up . But on that note , I
couldn't wait till he retired . He
don't drink , but we're gonna get
something done . Love you .
Yeah . Yeah , we all remember Charlie
once went through . I just wanna
and openly announce that I am proud of
you and I love you ,
man . I don't know if I wanna follow
that . I feel like I gotta give you a
hug and a kiss now . Hey , really ? Uh
this is more for the family honestly .
Uh So I was new , new to the position
and uh and , and somebody wanted to
come see me and if you know him , he's
gonna get in the office , whoa ,
where'd you come from ? Um And he was
there for two reasons . First and
foremost , was to sit down and talk to
me about how it was time and he didn't ,
he , there's about one thirds , two
thirds . He said , hey , it's time . I
know it's time and uh you're not gonna
change my mind . And I said , I don't
do Gettysburg speeches . You seem very
sincere . This is time . And uh it's
always better when a , when a um uh a
service member comes to that on their
own . And so I was just kinda happy to
hear that and excited at the same time .
And then he shifted gears and he said ,
I wanna make sure you understand who
the talent is to be able to replace me
and lead the army and transform where
we're going uh in the signal . He
laid all that out and I was impressed
immediately because it was very sincere ,
it was very authentic . There was
nothing in it for him . So
kind of book in this . We don't always
finish as well as we start or somewhere
along in the middle . Uh Sometimes when
you say 34 years , you can probably
think about it names . We don't mention
names , but it kind of peters out
towards the end .
By the way , you got to 1 November I
heard so we can close . OK .
I
don't know .
We grew up together and uh we're in
inner city kids from Indianapolis and
there's a ton of Indianapolis , uh
family and family , United States . But
I want to tell you , I am extremely
proud of you . I got my first cues
of image . Um I
joined J RT C because of you . My kids
asked me , they said , you know what
about the , what's J RT C ? My daughter
I joined , he joined
and I didn't grow up with a big brother ,
but I had a big and so I just , I'm so
proud . We never lost track . It's
getting hard now . We , we never lost
track and all these things . I'm
telling you , I mean , we , our paths
were , were different . He took the
military , I went to college , but
we've never lost track . They've never
missed an opportunity , reaching out to
my Children . They've never missed a
birthday . And I really appreciate that
from the both of you . You guys have
aunts and uncles to our family and I'm
sure everyone up here has that same
type of . And so from the human side ,
man , I love you . I truly appreciate
you . I sure wish I looked as good as ,
but we're so proud of you . 34 years .
I don't know what that equals in days ,
but it's a lot , a lot .
I love , I love it when things are off
script , it's working out really well .
I told you there are three big
surprises today , not including
everything that just mentioned . The
last one is about to happen . All right ,
legendary organization Protocol .
You're up
for that good afternoon , everyone .
You are a hard act to follow .
I am the protocol officer for G six . I
am Sergeant's Protocol . He has been a
pleasure and a joy to work for .
He has been engaged from cradle to
grave . He got out on this early . I
mean , in January , he came to speak to
me about this . He's every protocol
professional's dream . He didn't
come to me and March and say , come on ,
we're gonna do this in May . He came to
me in January . It was never here on
fire . It was never , uh , we were
worried about this , that day or the
other and again , his fingers touched
everything . So I thank you for that .
I need about six more of you . On my
way . My Colonel Adams
asked me . He said , well , Carmen ,
we're starting to plan now for Sergeant
Major's retirement . He said , let's do
something special . What do you , what
would you like to do ? He's a big fan
of the internet . Oh , really ? I said ,
you're talking to the right person here .
I'm a football girl . And I said , so
let's see what we can do . So I placed
a call to an old friend of mine
actually at the Cincinnati Bengals and
I said , do me a favor . Do you have a
number over the call ? Because you
cannot , you cannot pick up the phone
to any NFL franchise . Thank you .
You cannot pick up the phone to any NFL
franchise and get them just to pick up
the telephone . If you get that line ,
you're gonna get , do you wanna get
tickets ? Do you want a promotional ,
uh , do you want some stuff ? What do
you want ? Do you want us to come out ?
You're not gonna get anybody on the
phone . And so I was fortunate enough
to get a phone number to the Colts
office and picked up the phone to a
very lovely lady who was very kind to
me and I explained to her exactly what
we were going to do to honor Sergeant
Major Knot in his retirement of 34
years . Keep in mind the
NFL and the military , we have a
storied history . It goes back to the
Pete Roselle days in the early 19
sixties . We're looking at over six
decades . We've partnered , they have
supported us and they continue to do so .
And this lovely person said , took one
email . She says we wanna support , not
only do we wanna support , we're down
like four flat tires and we're gonna be
there . So , ladies and gentlemen , I
am pleased to present to you today and
I'd ask you to stand and hold until I
ask you to come up , Mr Steve Campbell ,
Vice President , Communications and
External Affairs , Indianapolis Coats
and the lovely lady that has supported
me and just been absolutely wonderful
for the past almost four months , Miss
Andy Sadler , Director of Community
Impact Indianapolis Coats .
And , and I'd like to
introduce to you . Ladies and gentlemen ,
swing those doors open in my best .
How are you ?
Well , Sergeant Major on , uh , on
behalf of the Indianapolis Colts and
our players , our coaches , the , the
Jim Irsay family , our owners of Blue ,
of course , uh , it's just an honor in
the entire city of Indianapolis . It's
just an honor to be here today . Uh ,
on a , on a personal note , I wanna say ,
I'm the , I'm the grandson of , uh , of ,
uh , s uh Sam Campbell and Paul Price
of the United States Army , both , both
retired and then the son of uh Colonel
Samuel Campbell of Indianapolis , uh us
Army retired . So it's very special for
me to be here today to , to honor you
because when I , when I , when I see
you , I , I see them , I see them as
well . Um So
like many purpose driven organizations .
Uh the Colts , we have , we have a
mission statement and it's to en
entertain , inspire and unite by
winning the right way . That's our
mission statement . And we live by that
every day and , and what we mean by
that is , yes , our day job is football .
You know , we , we love bringing joy
into people's lives on , on , on
Sundays and having , having great uh
products on the field . And that's our
day job . But when we say inspire and
unite , it means that we care just as
much what happens off the field as what
happens on the field . And so that , so
we , we , we take great pride in
saluting you uh particularly because
you're from , you're , you're one of us ,
you're , you're , you're , you're part
of cults nature . You're , you're a
part of cults nation . So , um and ,
and I also understand um a lot of the
folks who aren't from Indianapolis
don't understand this , but you're uh I ,
I was talking to some of your friends
back there , a graduate of Howell High
School , which is a very historic high
school in Indianapolis . Indiana . And ,
uh , and we're , we're right around the
same age and I , I went to North
Central in Indianapolis . So we , you
and I were running the streets of
Indianapolis at the same time , I think ,
I think , and obviously one of us did a
lot better than the other . So , but ,
uh , but we wanted to just say , uh ,
say thank you to you um for your
service to our country , uh to Indiana .
Um You know , none of us uh in this
room would be here without uh without
brave uh uh servicemen and women like
you . And uh uh and again , when we
heard about this ceremony , we said ,
this is , this is important enough to
us to jump on the plane and come out
here and say hello and , and , and ,
and present you with a couple of things .
So , um before I introduce Andy , I
just wanna give this presentation to
you . Um uh I , we talked to Mr Irsay
and he said , uh he said the next time
you're in Annapolis , he wants you to
come to uh the Colts game of your
choice in his suite . And ,
and so the next time you're back home
and , and then we hope you'll be
wearing this .
We also have a very special football to
commemorate this day just for you . So
I wanted to give you this and I heard
November , I think , right , November ,
you'll be free to come and , and come
to Indianapolis , come back to
Indianapolis and come to a game . Right .
And there's two more special people who
couldn't be here today but wanted to
send some , um , special message V
virtually . So I'd like to introduce or
virtually introduce our owner and vice
chair , Caitlyn Jackson , as well as ,
uh , current Colts player . Zaire
Franklin . Hi , my name is Ken Jackson
and I am the vice chair and owner for
the Indianapolis Colts . I'd like to
congratulate you , Sergeant Major , not
on your retirement . Thank you so much
for your 34 years serving your country .
I am so sad that I'm not able to be
there in person , but I trust that
you're surrounded by amazing family and
friends and people who are celebrating
what an incredible career you have had
and all that you have given to our
country . So , thank you . Thank you
from the bottom of my heart and I hope
you have a wonderful evening . Hi . My
name is Zaire Franklin and I play
linebacker for the Indianapolis Colts .
I would like to congratulate you ,
Sergeant Major Knott on your retirement .
Thank you for all that you did as an
Indianapolis native as a Ford Drum alum .
Um , just wanna appreciate everything
that you've done , um , in your 34
years of serving your country . Have a
happy retirement .
So , ok ,
so thank you very much again . We
appreciate your service and we can't ,
uh , you know , I don't know what the
future holds for you . But when you're
back in Indie , we , we'd , we'd love
to have you all back in Indie . First
of all , all the Indian . Yeah . Yeah ,
everybody . But uh , but when you're
back , uh you're gonna be our guest at
Lucas Oil Stadium . Thank you .
Thank you . We'll see you in a day . Um
OK .
You ready ?
You ready ? You ready ? You want a
moment ? Good . OK , cause
cause by all means , ladies and
gentlemen , I present to you command
Sergeant major , retired Richard D not
the United States Army .
Oh
oh OK .
Stuff .
I'm good though . Oh , good .
Right . First , I wanna give all praise
and glory to God who was the leader of
my life . I know without him , there
would be no me chaplain Meach . Thank
you for that amazing invocation . You
have been the perfect example of a
mentor as I strengthen my relationship
with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ .
I would also like to give a heartfelt .
Thank you to the soldiers of the 21st
Signal Brigade for the amazing
performance of old glory , the ushers
and escorts Miss Anne Morrison , Miss
Carmen Davis , Mr Michael Canals first
class Alexander Ca Masterson , Alisa
Ballard , Colonel Jake Jacobson , my
son Duncan mcgrath and everyone who had
a part in making this amazing ceremony
possible . I will be forever indebted
to you . Let's give them a round of
applause .
Somerville Army Lieutenant General
Morrison , Lieutenant Joe Barrett ,
Lieutenant General Martin , sergeants
majors . Sorry doctor Markowitz , um ,
other senior leaders , my family and
friends . Thank you for attending
today's ceremony , Lieutenant General
Morrison . I appreciate that you took
the time to host my family in your
office . I also appreciate that you
agreed to host the ceremony . I tell
everyone you have a choice if you want
to be here or not and you chose to be
here . Thank you to my family and
friends . Year after year , you ask me
when , well , when is
now I am truly grateful to you for
making the trip . Your sacrifice to be
here has not gone unnoticed . You two
had a choice and you two chose to be
here . I will be forever grateful for
you joining me for this special
occasion . I know if my mother Frances
Rutledge and Father Charles Knot were
still with us . They will be here . I
do know they are with me covering me
from the heaven above . I love you and
miss you . Oh ,
34 years ago , 34 years ago ,
who would have thought a kid from
Indianapolis will be standing here
literally right here at a podium
inside a room dedicated to the men and
women that made the , well , some of
them made the ultimate sacrifice
defending this great nation .
Please let us never forget why we do
what we do as I stand here with you
celebrating over three decades of
service , I feel blessed , honored and
grateful . I've been truly blessed to
have family . And friends that will
travel to worlds and to support me .
Although half of you are probably just
here to see if it's really happening ,
it's happening . Right . I was gonna
step away a little bit just to , you
know , it's , it's quite a few of you
in the audience . But , you know ,
Jamani came up , Jamani is probably my ,
my longest child , childhood friend ,
Jamani and , and April and , and Dewan .
I mean , I mean we were 6/7 8th graders
running the streets together . I really
appreciate you guys making it out . Uh
I really do . Um Jay and Lil Jamani ,
y'all growing up to be beautiful ,
wonderful kids and we really appreciate
that and I know it's all in Nicole's
fault . So , so it's all right . So my
cousins they happen to , to be able to
make it here . Felicia and Elle , thank
you for coming out sister Regina and
Isaiah cousin Willie looking at
everybody Cedric and um Sean , we all
go back to , to Fort Drum . It's just ,
it's just crazy . They're going uh I
wanna call him five because that's what
we call him , right ? But Darryl Evan
and , and his partner doctor , right ,
Nixon , I I really appreciate you guys
making the trip up from Fayetteville .
Who else there ? Oh my , my sister from
another mother , Tamika Dove , right ?
So um I don't wanna get too long winded .
I don't wanna get emotional but um
Brianna came to us um
during the time where I was in
recruiting school . And , um , we're at
Fort Stewart and , you know , Fort
Stewart is only 2.5 hours away , but
we had a false alarm . So I left for
the weekend while I was home for the
weekend . I left . I got back to , um ,
to class and , um , Monday I get a
phone call . I was about to test out of ,
um , a module . I get a phone call and
it's like , oh , she coming and
I was like , I'm not going to be able
to make it there . And , uh who showed
up Tamika ? Tamika stood in the
gap until I got there and , and , and
those were some phenomenal instructors .
I , it's just now I'm , I'm thinking
about stuff , you know , I had to test
out . So we're walking down the hallway
with one of my instructors and he does
this ring ring , like what's wrong with
this guy ? He said ring , ring
and he looks at me , he said , answer
the phone . So I answered . So I was
like , you know , answered it like I
was in the recruiting station . So he
tested me out as we walked down the
hallway so that I could get out and get
to my family as soon as possible ,
right ? And he was like , hey , look ,
you know , get there , you know , see
the law of the land , see what's going
on and as soon as you can get back ,
get back and they did that for me . So
I really appreciate that . So , um , my
first song came up , right ? Duval Page
and his wife Sheila , right ? I mean
his wife Sharon , his sister , Sheila
is here as well . That's why I said
that . I'm sorry . But , um , man , we
went to battle together , we argued
together , we fought together , right ?
I really appreciate you guys making the
trip out here , Joe and Tony Effinger .
I see you back there . You're not
hiding , right ? Um And if I miss any ,
oh , can't miss this person ,
Richard Curtis summer first class ,
he doesn't know this , but that's where
it all started . My first
true section are all the
specialists and this
guy says I see something . I don't care
what anybody else says . I see
something . He went to the company .
Next thing I know that afternoon I was
Corporal Knot and he was like , hey ,
look , young man , you're going places
again . Fort Drum , New York , right ?
A lot of history at Fort Drum . A lot
of history . Did , did I talk about my
other brother , Mike and Melissa Brand
Brandley . Did I talk about them ? I'm
not sure . But hey , if , if I miss you ,
I'm talking about you now . So they
have been godparents to my kids
for a long time , picking them up ,
taking them bowling , doing all the
things standing in the gap again when I
was away , when belicia who's a former
soldier herself away , you know , doing
all those things , we really , really
appreciate you guys . All right , I'm
stopping . Let me get back on script
now . All right . Ok . All right . I am
honored to have been afforded the
opportunity to help lead America's sons
and daughters alongside great leaders
like Colonel to Benning . Brigadier
General Mark Miles Major General , Jeff
Ray , major General Robert Edmonson ,
major general Christopher Eubank ,
Lieutenant General Maria Barrett ,
Lieutenant General John Morrison ,
chief , one officer , fives to Sean
Bell , Garth Han Lin mccoy and Danny
Burns and to have mentors like Willie
Clemens , Joe Effinger , Deris , Curry ,
Earl Allen Gerald Williams and Gerald
Tice and teammates like Jack Nichols ,
Christy Brady Julie Guerra and the
superstar cast of current and former
our staff sergeants major . You have
all poured into me , trusted me and led
in a way that was both admirable and
honorable . Each of you has
consistently inspired me to be better .
And for that , I say thank you ,
acknowledging our blessings , help us
deliver or develop a sense of abundance
and contentment . I am forever grateful
for what God has provided for me , a
loving caring wife and our two amazing
adults . He has kept me and my family
safe . Anthony and Brianna .
Hm ,
small too one week . So
you , I really appreciate you guys
really proud of you . All right ,
really tall .
Hm . Anthony and Brianna are two
amazing adults . Thank you for your
love and understanding for the many
special moments I've missed 90% of
America will never understand the
challenges and unique experiences that
come with being a military child . At
the time , you did not choose military
service yet . You had to endure
deployments , multiple moves and the
changing of schools and friends . I am
blessed and grateful to have loving
resilient adults that I still call my
babies . Thank you for always being
there to support one another as well as
your mother . You are the reason why I
worked so hard . I am so proud to be
your father . I love you .
Uh Oh yeah ,
I'm gonna , I'm gonna set the tone . So
I'm gonna relax a little bit . Let me
tell you a story . The year was
1993 Fort Drum , New York . And
there we were Derek Browning and I
walking through the PX minding our own
business . We already said Derek's from
Indianapolis as well . But you know ,
anyway , I look up and coming right
toward me was the most beautiful woman
I've ever seen . Words were
exchanged a couple of dates had and
before long I knew she was the one for
me . Fast forward . 31 years .
It was , and it is the most significant
life changing encounter I've had
belicia .
There are no words to describe how
thankful I am to you for being the rock
of our family . I am so grateful for
your love and support you make every
day brighter and I'm thankful to have
you as my wife . Thank you for always
believing in me . Even when I doubt
myself , your love and support are my
greatest motivators . And I am
eternally grateful I love you
that all right .
So from here on out , my family may
come to regret having me all to
themselves for the rest of you . I
guess this is the last time you'll be
obliged to listen to me . So I'd like
to take a moment to share some thoughts
with you throughout my career . I've
witnessed firsthand the immense power
of looking out for one another of
extending a helping hand and time of
needs and of fostering a culture of
care and compassion . As I depart , I
implore each of you to prioritize the
well being of your people above all
else . Everything we do is about people ,
no matter how high tech the army gets ,
we must never forget that General
Coleman Powell used to say that a
leader has only two jobs , accomplish
the mission , take care of your people .
That's it no more . Accomplish the
mission , take care of your people .
The non commissioned officer contains
very similar language . I would go as
far as to say , no matter your
profession . These are words to live by
our army and our country are only as
strong as our people , whatever we can
do to lift your people up brick by
brick , cementing their foundation ,
helping to build their skills and
confidence , assisting them to overcome
obstacles and wear this uniform with
pride and honor is the greatest
contribution you can make to our
success when your time comes to retire .
I believe it is what you will look back
on with the most satisfaction . But
there is another side to that coin . As
much as the people you are charged to
lead , need you . You need people for
us through their resilience , their
spirit and their unwavering dedication
that our profession thrives . Invest in
the relationships that would be your
strength and trying times your family ,
first and foremost , but also your
fellow soldiers , civilian colleagues ,
friends and community don't neglect
your relationship with our creator and
never be afraid or embarrassed to ask
for help . What we do is hard . We
can't do it alone and we shouldn't try
as I bid farewell to the army and look
to the road ahead . The friendships
that have meant so much to me over my
career are the most valuable thing I am
taking with me as I close . I ain't no
hope . The time I've spent with you
over the years have been meaningful . I
pray that I have positively impacted
the lives of those who I have been
charged to lead in the same way .
They've impacted me when you're asked
about age or not . And his legacy , I
hope that you all can answer people .
The people and their families are his
legacy . Thank you all for attending
today's ceremony . My name is Richard .
Not . And I am a soldier
and you saw , ok ,
there's all sorts of blue fuzz out here .
We got , we got one last thing to do
right now now that everybody's standing
and that's the army song . All right .
And we got that . All right . Jazz man .
Where are you at ? All right ,
ladies and gentlemen , the , the , the
words can be found in your programs
though . I suspect many , maybe not
blue . No , the new words in the army
song maybe . All right .
You know . No ,
because thought
we're the army and brother .
There you are .
Where the Yeah , ok .
Fine . You throw
until the battle is won . The army goes
rolling .
A on ,
no
army goes rolling .
All right , man , we'll talk to you .
Yeah ,
ladies and gentlemen , that concludes
today's ceremony . So our major will
remain up front with Felicia and they
can uh make some sort of a reception
line that will start on this side . Go
that way to the back where there's a
nice cake and other refreshments .
Thank you all for attending .