1-194 CAB transfer of authority

Photo By Maj. Michael Lovas | Command Sgt. Maj. John Lepowsky (right) releases the Minnesota state flag as it is hoisted above Camp Virginia, Kuwait, by Lt. Col. Brian Melton Aug. 17, 2011, signifying their assumption of command and responsibility for the Brainerd-based 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 194th Armor. Sgt. Maj Lepowsky, a business owner from Freemont, Minn., serves as a tanker and the battalion’s senior enlisted member, while Lt. Col. Melton, an infantry officer from Moorhead, Minn., where he is a prosecuting attorney, commands more than 600 soldiers from the Minnesota-based 1st Brigade Combat Team, 34th “Red Bull” Infantry Division, who are deployed to Kuwait in support of Operation New Dawn, the final phase of post-combat operations in Iraq.  

CAMP VIRGINIA, KUWAIT

08.17.2011

Story by 1st Lt. Michael Lovas 

1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 34th Red Bull Infantry Division

CAMP VIRGINIA, Kuwait - With the handoff complete, Lt. Col. Brian Melton and Command Sgt. Maj. John Lepowsky smiled, shook hands and looked up to see the Minnesota state flag flying proudly over battalion headquarters here at Camp Virginia.

This culminated the transfer of authority from the 1st Battalion 119th Field Artillery (1-119th FA), a Michigan National Guard unit.

The ceremony was one filled with pride, with two units carrying on the legacy of proud heritage and strong histories. The 1-119th FA has fought gallantry through history and been ready to answer the nation’s call after 9/11.

They were chosen as the gun salute battery for the funeral of President Gerald Ford, showing what a quality unit they are and the pride they have for this nation, flawlessly executing the 21-gun salute honoring the former president. This proud unit cased their colors and handed their mission off to the 1st Combined Arms Battalion 194th Armor (1-194 AR).

Lt. Col. Melton and Command Sgt. Maj. Lepowsky carefully uncased the colors of the battalion while the lineage and honors were read, remembering those of the Bataan Death March. After 70 years of history was read, Lt. Col. Melton hoisted the battalion colors in the air proclaiming, “Remember Bataan!” The battalion, not missing a beat, echoed with “Never Forget!!!”

This completed the battalion motto honoring those predecessors whose shoulders we now stand proudly upon.

Lt. Col. Melton addressed the crowd and talked about the responsibility that lay in front of the Bastards and the significant place in history this battalion has once again been placed. He called the members of his battalion “the smartest bastards on the battlefield.”

Then, playing to his crowd, he quoted Gen. George S. Patton Jr.’s famous speech, “Now, I want you to remember that no bastard ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country.”

After the transfer was complete both battalions moved to the flag pole where the Michigan flag was proudly lowered, ending a successful mission. Once lowered, Lt. Col. Melton and Command Sgt. Maj. Lepowsky proudly stepped forward to hoist the Minnesota colors into the desert sky signifying this mission is now in the hands of Minnesotans.

The state that has served the longest single deployment of this war will now be the unit who sees this war come to a close, bringing an end to this chapter of world history.

• Date Taken: 08.17.2011
• Date Posted: 09.20.2011 22:44
• Story ID: 77334
• Location: CAMP VIRGINIA, KW