VICENZA, Italy -- The leadership of U.S. Army Garrison Vicenza changed Nov. 15 as Col. Robert L. Menist Jr., assumed the role of commander in a ceremony forced indoors due to poor weather at Caserma Ederle.
Menist comes to Vicenza from Fort Sam Houston, Texas, where he was working for the Installation Management Command headquarters in Business Transformation in Korea.
IMCOM Europe Region Director Kathleen Marin presided over the ceremony, tying together the longstanding partnership between Italians and Americans. Marin remarked that the new leader is someone who "knows that dignity and respect are non-negotiable anchors of leadership."
"Colonel Robert Menist views leadership not simply as a career role, but as a vocation," Marin said. "His measure of success is how he has positively changed the lives of those he leads."
She noted key garrison employees and awards they helped win for the Vicenza Military Community. She also highlighted Menist's previous roles and awards.
In his remarks, also interspersed with Italian, Menist said how thankful he is to take command of the garrison. He spoke about the history behind Caserma Ederle's namesake, Italian army Maj. Carlo Ederle and how his bravery represents unifying values of both Italian and American Soldiers.
"Maj. Ederle was the perfect example of selfless service that both our nations value so dearly," Menist said. "Maj. Ederle's service is not forgotten and has become a symbol of the alliance that united our countries in World War I."
Addressing the many Italian dignitaries in attendance, Menist said "Although our bilateral relationship is already extremely robust, I am honored as the Garrison Commander to have the opportunity to strengthen it further. To achieve that, I look forward to working closely with the Italian army and Colonello Edoardo Maggian, Carabinieri and Lt. Col. Lucio Merlo, polizia, our Italian neighbors, and Italian elected officials."
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