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By Spc.
Carlee Ross
SCHOFIELD
BARRACKS— The 25th Infantry Division honored two senior
leaders in a Flying "V" ceremony at Sills Field, 11 Jan.
Maj. Gen. Benjamin R. Mixon, commander, 25th ID presided
over the day’s event, which was held to farewell Brig. Gen.
John M. (Mick) Bednarek, deputy commanding general (DCG),
operations, and welcome Brig. Gen. James C. Nixon, DCG,
operations.
The Flying "V" ceremony, which
is unique to the division, consists of brigade commanders
and colors down to battalion-level, posted in a V-shaped
formation. A tribute to the in- and outgoing general officer
division leadership, this is similar to the more familiar
change of command ceremony. An empty space to the left of
the formation represented the divisions 2nd Stryker Brigade
Combat Team, which is currently deployed to Iraq.
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Brig. Gen. Mick Bednarek,
outgoing deputy commanding general, operations (DCG-O),
speaks to the audience about his time as the DCG-O
thanking the Soldiers, NCO’s, leaders and his family
for making this experience memorable. The Flying V
ceremony was held at Sills Field, 11 Jan.
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"To simply be a small part of this
incredible team over the past 34 months, and witness it
transform, reorganize, train, deploy and fight in one of the
most critical wars of our country’s history has been awe
inspiring," explained Bednarek.
Although Bednarek is relinquishing
his title as DCG-O, he will not be going far as he will soon
be taking over command of the division during an interim
period where the division will be waiting for their new
commander to arrive.
Among the things people would say about
Bednarek, most would tell you he cares about his Soldiers.
Throughout the deployment Bednarek was out on patrol or some
sort of mission almost everyday, said Mixon.
During Bednarek’s speech he didn’t forget
to thank the members of the Army he so greatly appreciates.
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From left: Brig.
Gen. Mick Bednarek, outgoing deputy commanding
general, operations (DCG-O), Maj. Gen. Benjamin
Mixon, commander, 25th ID and Brig. Gen. James
Nixon, incoming DCG-O, stand together during a
Flying-V ceremony to farewell Bednarek and welcome
Nixon to the division, 11 Jan.
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"To all the Soldiers, be proud of
what you have accomplished and what is yet to come. You
remain members of a time honored tradition. It is your
sacrifice that promotes freedom, democracy and preserves our
way of life," said Bednarek.
Bednarek also holds the leaders of this
division with the highest regard. There is an old saying
when judging the leaders, he said – ask the led.
"I can say without hesitation that
this Tropic Lightning team holds some of the finest leaders
to ever wear our uniform; courageously leading by example
and truly making a difference," Bednarek said.
The ceremony ended with the
attendees saying goodbye to Bednarek and his family with
leis, hugs and handshakes and welcoming Nixon into the
Tropic Lightning division with the same warmth.
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Col. Jeffrey Eckstein requests
permission to conclude the Flying V on Sills Field
11 Jan. This ceremony was held to honor Brig. Gen.
Mick Bednarek, outgoing deputy commanding general,
operations, (DCG-O) and welcome Brig. Gen. James
Nixon, incoming DCG-O.
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"We will remain dedicated that your Army in the Pacific is prepared with the
right training, the right equipment and the preservation of the nation's
greatest resource -- our sons and daughters and their families."
