Photo By Staff Sgt. Toshiko Gregg | Command Sgt. Maj. William J. Payne, right, and his wife of 25 years, Beverly, renewed...... read more read more
FORT JACKSON, S.C. – The 81st Regional Support Command hosted a change of responsibility and a retirement ceremony where Command Sgt. Maj. William J. Payne relinquished responsibility to Command Sgt. Major Ronald Law.
Law joined the 81st RSC from his last assignment as Command Sergeant Major of the 207th Regional Support Group, located at Fort Jackson. “It is truly an honor to have been selected into this position and I want to thank Maj. Gen. Beck for your confidence in me to continue on with the 81st legacy,” said Law. “CSM Payne and Beverly I wish you well in your retirement, thank you for your leadership and mentorship and most of all your friendship.”
As Law continued on with his speech he focused on the 81st as a whole.
“To all the members of the 81st RSC I know we will continue to be successful if we project the positive and caring attitude that is in place today; continue to care for the Soldiers and strive for excellence as stated in the Wildcat P.R.I.D.E (Partnering, Responsive, Innovative, Dedicated Stewardship and Excellence).”
Law’s past assignments include Command Sergeant Major, Task Force Marshall at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, 108th Training Command in Charlotte, North Carolina and the U.S. Army Reserve Drill Sergeant School at Ft. Jackson. He is originally from Akron, Ohio, and has served in the Army for 35 years. He currently works for Alex Lee Inc as a Computer Analyst.
After Payne passed the torch to Law, he said he’s confident that the 81st will be in good hands. “CSM Law, I leave the care of the Soldiers and civilians of this very proud and honored organization in your capable hands,” said Payne. “Having served with you for over twenty years I know you will do a great job.”
The change of responsibility ceremony transitioned right into Payne’s retirement ceremony. At this time, Payne and his wife Beverly were recognized for their selfless service to our nation. As the Paynes stood beside 81st RSC commander Maj. Gen. Gill Beck, he (Beck) expressed his feeling towards his battle buddy.
“I’ve known CSM Payne for well over two decades. He has been the person that I have looked up to in every instance. He has been a leader,” said Beck. “When you walk into a room he has presence; he has that military bearing and posture you know that he is a leader.” “You also know as soon as he opens his mouth he is going be able to take charge of the mission and be able to execute.”
Payne took responsibility of the 81st RSC in February of 2012. He will be retiring with 33 years of service to the Army Reserve.
“Thirty-nine years, one month and 19 days,” Payne said. “That’s what Uncle Sam says I gave to my country, but what I got back was a lifetime of experiences and friends and I could never give back what the Army and Army Reserve have given to me. I want to thank my battle buddy for the last two and a half years, Maj. Gen. Gill Beck, as fine as a commander as I have ever served under, for giving me the opportunity for serving with you and the 81st in my last assignment of my Army career.”
Payne spoke about his journey and all the people who were a major influence in his life. Especially, his wife who stood by his side during the ceremony. “Now I would like to acknowledge my partner” said Payne. “In 28 years of this journey without whose complete and total support this adventure would have not been possible, my beautiful wife Beverly who has been by my side for most of my career. She has been the solid foundation for our marriage for most of my military career. I hope now we can start to enjoy the fruits of those labors and those separations and weekends.”
In an interesting twist at the end of the ceremony Payne got down on one knee and asked his wife’s hand in marriage. Since the same people present for this ceremony had attended the wedding 25 years ago, the Paynes renewed their vows, officiated by Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Ken Hubbs.
| Date Taken: | 08.10.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 08.18.2014 12:59 |
| Story ID: | 139659 |
| Location: | FORT JACKSON, SOUTH CAROLINA, US |
| Hometown: | CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 373 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
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