Photo By Sgt. Mary Carmona | Marines from Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron aboard Marine Corps Air Station...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, N.C. - Lt. Col. Walter S. Lee relinquished command of Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron aboard Marine Corps Air Station New River to Lt. Col. Lesley W. Chiu in a change of command ceremony held at the air station C-12 hangar, July 31.
"Gums" Lee, a native of Macon, Georgia, took charge of H&HS in July 2012, caring for and overseeing the work of more than 400 Marines, sailors, and civilians.
“How you’ve taken care of the Marines, sailors and civilians and their families is second to none,” said ceremony guest speaker Col. Timothy M. Salmon, air station commanding officer and New Jersey native. “I can’t thank you enough.”
Lee then took the microphone telling guests a story about a change of command he had attended once in which the outgoing commanding officer had told guests he was breathing a sigh of relief at handing over his command.
“I love these Marines; I love this unit, there’s no sigh of relief for me today,” Lee said. “It’s more like a sigh of despair for me, because the last thing I want to do is give up command of this squadron, but I understand the process and I respect the process and I’ve had my turn.”
During the ceremony, Lee was awarded a Meritorious Service Medal with gold star in lieu of second award.
Incoming commander, "Fuman" Chiu, a native of
Walnut Creek, California, was the final speaker.
“New guy rules say,” you get up, say a few words and get off,” so I’m going to do exactly that,” Chiu told guests jokingly.
After thanking guests and family for their attendance and support, Chiu commended Lee on his leadership of H&HS.
“Gums, job well done,” Chiu said. “My first impression of the squadron when I got here was professionalism, enthusiasm, courtesy and esprit de corps. You have a lot to be proud of.”
He then addressed his goals for the future of the squadron.
“We are going to support the Marines and sailors here at the air station, we are going to support the two Marine Aircraft Groups, we are going to support operations to get the squadrons ready to deploy and be combat ready,” Chiu said. “We are going to maintain standards, and we are going to hold each other accountable.”
Chiu also emphasized that while mission accomplishment had always been a key focus, so had taking care of Marines, sailors and their families.
“I will continue to do that, I’m honored and privileged to do so,” he said.
| Date Taken: | 07.31.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 08.14.2014 17:13 |
| Story ID: | 139372 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Hometown: | MACON, GEORGIA, US |
| Hometown: | WALNUT CREEK, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 263 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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