PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. - Soldiers from the 1st Space Brigade bid farewell to one senior enlisted and welcomed another during a Change of Responsibility Ceremony in Building 1's auditorium here during the afternoon of May 26.
Command Sgt. Maj. Kevin B. McGovern relinquished his responsibilities and duties for the 1st Space Brigade to Command Sgt. Maj. James N. Ross with the traditional passing of the Noncommissioned Officer's sword before a packed house to include distinguished guests, Space Soldiers, Family members and civilians.
Col. Jeffrey A. Farnsworth, commander of the 1st Space Brigade, said, "It is a great opportunity to recognize the McGovern family for their outstanding service to the Space Brigade and Army Space Soldiers around the world and welcome the Ross family."
The Legion of Merit Award was presented to McGovern for exceptional meritorious service from June 10, 2005 through June 26, 2009 for serving as the command sergeant major for not only his tenure in the brigade but prior service in the 1st Space Battalion.
His wife Carolyn received the Commander's Award for Public Service for her work with the brigade's Headquarters and Headquarters Company Family Readiness Group from January 2007 to May 2009.
Looking back on McGovern's accomplishments in the brigade, Farnsworth commented, "What do you say about your right arm'
"[He is] a sergeant major that always anticipates your needs and is there ahead of time, who sees problems before they really become problems and nips them in the bud, who goes to no end to get things done. What do you say' So it occurred to me, it is all on the Warrior Ethos and the Army Values card."
After expressing his many thanks throughout these past four years, McGovern had two requests for those in attendance.
The first, he said, is "to look at this stage today and see the colors and guidons representing a lot of men and women who could not be here and are currently deployed around the world. These colors also represent the men and women from all the different services. Keep them in your thoughts, in your prayers, and I want you to work every day, harder than the day before for each and every one of them.
"The second thing is that everyone in attendance is to support Command Sergeant Major Ross, his wife Ashley, and their family, as you have supported me. Ross is a good technician and tactician. He brings tactical prowess that is going to take this command to the next level."
McGovern now heads to his new assignment in Huntsville, Ala.
Ross, a native of Battle Creek, Mich., enlisted in the Army in September 1985. He has been the Command Sergeant Major for the 1st Space Battalion for the past two years.
"I'm humbled by this opportunity and I look forward to serving the Soldiers of this Command," said Ross. "This is Space 7 entering in orbit on target, first in Space."
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