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| Left to
right, Sgt. Major William McDaniel Jr., Mrs.
Dixie Dutton Emerson, Brig. Gen. Robert
Crear and Sgt. Major Robert Winzenried.
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Colorful flags, patriotic music and inspiring words all
contributed to make the Memphis District’s Change of
Command on July 13 a rousing success. At the 10 a.m.
ceremony held at Memphis’ downtown DoubleTree Hotel,
Col. Charles O. Smithers III turned over command of the
Memphis District to Col. Thomas P. Smith.
Brig. Gen. Robert Crear, Mississippi Valley Division
Commander, presided over the event, hosted by Memphis
Deputy District Commander, Maj. Vincent Navarre.
A special feature of the ceremony included the
inauguration of the Corps of Engineers World War II
Engineers Ring Ceremony. A Corps of Engineers logo ring,
created during World War II in New Guinea by the late
Master Sgt. Robert Dutton, a Memphis resident, was
presented to Corps of Engineers Command Sergeant Major
Robert Winzenreid by Gulf Region Division Command
Sergeant Major William McDaniel Jr., the ring’s previous
wearer. This established what is destined to be a
tradition in which the ring will be presented to all
future Corps of Engineers Command Sergeants Major.
Mrs. Dixie Dutton Emerson, daughter of the ring’s
originator, was present at the ceremony and spoke of the
importance this gesture had for her family and the
tribute it represented to her late father.
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| Col.
Thomas P. Smith (right) hold the Corps
colors as (left to right) Col. Charles O.
Smithers III, Brig. Gen. Robert Crear and
Eddie Belk look on. |
Following the ring ceremony, the official transfer of
the Corps flag from Col. Smithers to Col. Smith took
place. Then Brig. Gen. Crear took the podium. He spoke
of Col. Smithers’ many accomplishments, including his
leadership of the Louisiana Recovery Field Office
following hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the District’s
commitment to the Global War on Terror, improved
contract obligation of funds, achievements in the Small
and Disadvantaged Business arena, a renewed focus on the
District’s Strategic Plan, and significant strides on a
number of major construction projects. He also
congratulated Col. Smithers on his 31 years of service
in the Army and wished him well on his retirement.
At the conclusion of his remarks, Brig Gen. Crear
awarded Col. Smithers with the military’s Legion of
Merit medal and the Silver de Fleury medal from the Army
Engineer Association. He also presented Col. Smithers’
wife Maureen with the Commander’s Award for Civilian
Service for her many years of support to her husband’s
career in the Army.
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| Brig.
Gen. Crear pins the Legion of Merit medal on
Col. Smithers' uniform. |
Col. Smithers then took the podium for his final
official appearance before the employees, customers,
stakeholders and friends of the Memphis District. With a
voice sometimes choked with emotion, he praised the
people of the Memphis District, and the vital work they
do for the nation.
He also remembered and thanked the many people in his
life who had inspired and guided him in his military
career.
Col. Smith, new District commander, then moved to the
podium. He expressed his gratitude at being chosen for
this assignment, and vowed to continue leading the
District in the positive direction it is now headed.
The ceremony concluded with the playing of the Engineer
Regimental March and the Army Song.
An honor guard from the 101st Airborne
Division, Combat, Air Assault, at Fort Campbell, Ky.,
had charge of the colors for the ceremony, and the Navy
Band Mid-South from Millington provided music.
To view all the photos from the Change of Command,
follow this path:
data (W) > shared
> Public Affairs Office > Change of Command 2007
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The Smithers
family |
The Smith
family |
If you have
difficulty accessing any material on this site
because of a disability, please feel free to
contact us in writing or via telephone and we will
work with you to make the information available. |
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Memphis
District
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Public Affairs Office
167 North Main St.
Memphis, TN 38103
(901) 544-3360 |
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