Ceremonies

This week has been full of Army Ceremonies. With 4th Brigade, Infantry Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division fully redeployed from Iraq, there have been lots of Change of Command and Award Ceremonies. We attended just two of these events this week at Fort Riley.

On Tuesday, the kids and I went to an Award Ceremony for Nick's unit, 1-4 CAV. Some 450 soldiers received awards such as the Army Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal and Bronze Star. It really was a sight to see. The ceremony lasted nearly 2 hours. Both kids did great sitting through all of the awards. Pictured above is Nick's, XO (Executive Officer), Lt. Koky Sisoura receiving his Bronze Star from Lt Col Crider, the unit Commander. Nick received one also, but someone walked right in front of me while I was taking the picture.

On Thursday, we attended a Change of Command Ceremony for the 4th Brigade Commander, Colonel Ricky Gibbs (aka the big boss!). This was by far the coolest Army Ceremony I have ever attended (and I've been to lots). Fort Riley is steeped in tradition, since it is the home of the Cavalry. Custer was stationed here before the Battle of Little Big Horn. There was a Period Cannon Demonstration, and all the other usual Army Ceremony events such as Inspection of the Troops, Passing of the Colors, remarks by the outgoing and incoming Commanders, and the playing of The Big Red One Song and The Army Song.

Pictured above COL Gibbs and Commanding General Durbin inspect the troops. Six Battalion sized units stand behind them in formation. They are riding in an antique half-track vehicle, which is normally on display at the Cavalry Museum here. Ben really loved it when they drove by us twice!

At the conclusion of the ceremony, the troops all pass by the Commanding General for a second inspection. This is called the Pass and Review. Below you will see Nick's unit, preparing to pass by. Nick is the second soldier from the left.

Here at Fort Riley the Commanding General has his own Mounted Color Guard. At the beginning of the ceremony, they presented both the incoming Commanders wife and outgoing Commanders wife with roses. In turn they presented the horses with a basket of carrots. Here the horses are in formation preparing to pass by the General. The soldiers riding them wear period Cavalry uniforms. It is their full time job to work with the horses.

The conclusion of the ceremony was our favorite part. I only wish I had a video of it. Unfortunately, I had already put my camera away. After they fired the cannon to conclude the ceremony, the Mounted Color Guard did a Cavalry charge down the length of the parade field. The whole time they were firing their pistols. It was really, really awesome to see the horses running at full speed just 20 feet in front of us. Ben loved it!

Nick will be having his Change of Command on June 16, after we return from 30 days of leave! He is both excited and sad to leave. He really will miss working with his soldiers, but at the same time, he really needs a break! I am not sure his next job will be very relaxing, but at least he will not have to be responsible for 90 guys. What is his next job? It has finally been confirmed that Nick will be the Aide to the Commanding General here at Fort Riley. This will allow us to stay here at least another year and a half. Nick is really excited for this opportunity. The current Commanding General is a West Point graduate with an engineering background just like Nick. He is also an Armor officer, just like Nick. I think that Nick is going to have a great mentor. It is not a deployable job, but Nick will have to accompany the General on any short trips he may make around the country and to Iraq/Afghanistan. Anything will be better than 14 months away from home!