VILSECK, Germany – Dragoons of the 2nd Cavalry Regiment gathered alongside many distinguished guests Wednesday, Oct. 13, to say goodbye to a devoted member of the regimental leadership team, Command Sgt. Major Mark Morris, and welcome his successor, Command Sgt. Maj. Malcolm D. Parrish, during a change of responsibility ceremony held at Memorial Gym on Rose Barracks.
The 76th colonel of the regiment Col. Keith Barclay took a moment to acknowledge both men as well as the importance of non-commissioned officers within the command structure.
“Non-commissioned Officers have been the backbone of our nation’s ability to defend freedom since 1775 when the first generation fought for independence,” Barclay said. “Today, we recognize two of America’s finest.”
“They have continued to build on the legacy of past patriots,” he continued, “as you see before them they have built the next generation of leaders.”
Barclay went on to praise Morris for his professionalism and the contributions both he and his wife Mary made to the troopers of 2CR over the last five years.
“Command Sgt. Major Morris clearly exemplifies how and why our non-commissioned officers are the backbone of our military,” he said. “He is first and always a professional soldier.”
Barclay also took a moment to welcome Command Sgt. Major Parrish and his wife Sharon to the Dragoon family.
“Command Sgt. Major Parrish is a combat proven Warrior,” he said, “and has a fantastic reputation for achieving and maintaining high training standards, high quality of life for our soldiers and having an incredibly disciplined formation.”
“A reputation that I know he will continue to build in this regiment,” he said. “Command Sgt. Major Parrish you are exactly the right man at the right time for this position and I’m honored to have an opportunity to serve with you again.”
During his farewell address Command Sgt Major. Morris looked back fondly on his time serving his fellow Dragoons.
“As I look back on my last three years as regimental command sergeant major in reflection it feels like only a month or two,” he said. “Time has passed so quickly that much of the last week is a blur,” he continued. “What remains constant in my mind are the daily sacrifices of all the soldiers in this great regiment.”
Morris continued on to remind people to keep their focus where it belongs: on the soldiers of 2CR and their families.
“Today is a day about change and honoring the long standing traditions of the 2nd Cavalry Regiment,” Morris said. “Today is not about any honor owed the Morris family.”
“Mary and I are the ones who owe a debt of gratitude and any honor that may be do,” he continued. “For us it has always been
about serving the Soldiers and their families.”
While Morris admitted he worked hard during his time in leadership, he did not work nearly as hard as those non-commissioned officers, soldiers and commanders with whom he served.
“They’re the ones that deserve our true gratitude,” he said.
The incoming Regimental Command Sgt. Major Malcolm D. Parrish has had a long and distinguished career. Parrish comes to the regiment from his last position as command sergeant major of 3rd Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment in Grafenwoehr, Germany. Parrish began his military career in 1982 as an armored reconnaissance specialist. He has been deployed in support of Kosovo and Operation Iraqi Freedom I and II. In his address to the Troops Command, Sgt. Maj. Parrish expressed his excitement about becoming part of the Dragoon family and the rich history of the regiment. He also went on to praise the soldiers for their outstanding commitment to excellence.
“Dragoons, you represent less than one percent of our nation’s most valuable asset,” Parrish said, “its sons and daughters.”
“As we can all see this morning,” he continued, “you represent our nation to the highest standard.”
“When Sharon and I were told we would be assigned to the regiment we initially were honored, humbled and ultimately proud knowing that we were joining not only the oldest continuously serving cavalry regiment in the Army,” Parrish remarked, “but also a remarkable group of leaders, troopers, family members and volunteers- a community all working to be the best the Army has to offer.”
“I look forward to working for and with each and every one of you,” he said, “in accomplishing any mission we are assigned and taking care troopers and family members of our 2nd Cavalry Regiment family of Dragoons.”
Date Taken: | 10.13.2011 |
Date Posted: | 10.17.2011 04:52 |
Story ID: | 78581 |
Location: | VILSECK, BAYERN, DE |
Web Views: | 693 |
Downloads: | 0 |
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