JOINT BASE MYER-HENDERSON HALL, Va. - Sincere handshakes and emotional hugs prevailed on a day when the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) changed commanders at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall's Summerall Field.
The June 18 ceremony installed Col. Johnny K. Davis as the 80th commander of the nation's oldest regiment, while Col. James C. Markert finished his two-year stint with The Old Guard.
"Soldiers of The Old Guard, I'm proud to be here with you," Davis said during his change of command remarks. "This unit has a great, storied history, and I'm proud to serve our Army's oldest regiment as the 80th commander. You are the best of the best."
Following the symbolic passing of colors to signify the change of command, Joint Force Headquarters-National Capital Region/Military District of Washington Commander Maj. Gen. Jeffrey S. Buchanan spoke of Markert's loyalty and legacy before the 79th TOG commander yielded command to Davis.
"Jim Markert epitomizes loyalty...He has been consistently loyal to the mission," Buchanan said. "Under Jim's leadership, this great regiment continues to set the standard of mission accomplishments...Jim is absolutely loyal to his troops. He has never or will never break faith with them."
Buchanan's attention then switched to Davis, who is already familiar with the Military District of Washington. The Milwaukee, Wisconsin, native, served as The Old Guard's Delta Company commander, and he attended the National War College at Fort McNair. His overseas deployments include time in Kuwait, Haiti, Iraq and Afghanistan.
"He leads by example as well as any Soldier I've ever served with...Welcome aboard my friend, you're going to love being a part of this team," Buchanan told Davis.
In front of the companies and mission partners for the final time, Markert thanked The Old Guard as a whole and verbally applauded TOG Soldiers for their superb dedication.
"I love this regiment. Every Soldier in it is trusted with the mission that the American people find deeply meaningful," Markert said. "Soldiers of The Old Guard, for two years I've seen how hard you work...when the rest of the national government was closed and nobody came to work, you were out there striving for excellence."
At a pre-change of command award ceremony at JBM-HH's Town Hall, Buchanan told a group of well wishers how Markert's legacy will shape The Old Guard in the future.
"Your legacy will be shaping the Army for years and years," Buchanan told Markert. "There will be people 20 years from now making decisions based on your legacy. Your most powerful legacy is with the people."
After receiving the Legion of Merit award, Markert apologized for not thanking each TOG Soldier individually, but told them his phone line is always open.
"This is our last Hooah and 'fix bayonets,'" he told the Town Hall crowd. "For you in the room wearing the blue suits, I don't necessarily have time to thank you all to the level you deserve individually. I will say this - the thanks you do deserve will be available when you need it. I'm not hard to find on the global. There aren't many Markerts. When you need something, I will not forget who you are.
"I would not be standing here successfully today without the hard work of 1,659 Soldiers," Markert added.
Markert's wife, Karin, was also recognized with the outstanding civilian service medal and the Shield of Sparta- Heroine of Infantry award prior to the change of command.
Markert has now been assigned to Fort Hood's G3 III Corps in Texas.
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