JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq - The 2nd of the 402nd Army Field Support Brigade held a farewell dinner to say good-bye to their commander Lt. Col. Joe L. Hart, at the east morale welfare and recreation center here at Joint Base Balad, Aug. 15.
The event featured a buffet-style dinner and dessert, after which many members and groups of his command spoke about Hart and presented him with parting gifts. At the end of the ceremony, members of the Ugandan Christian Gospel Fellowship performed a traditional dance entitled "Jesus the Lion of Judea" in honor of Hart.
Hart handed off his command to Lt. Col. Garry B. Bush, in a change of command ceremony held at the 2nd of the 402nd headquarters, Aug. 19. Before the ceremony, Hart was presented with a Bronze Star, the Army Combat Patch and was inducted by the United States Army Association of Quartermasters into the Distinguished Order of Saint Martin.
Induction into the Distinguished Order of Saint Martin is reserved for individuals who have served in the Quartermaster Corps for at least 10 years and have been approved by the Quartermaster General.
"He epitomizes the Army values and it's never about him, it's always about ensuring others are taken care of first," said Command Sgt. Maj. Alister V. Mason at Hart's farewell dinner, "He always took the time to provide me with the guidance, the leadership and the mentorship I needed."
In his final comments to his unit, Hart praised their efforts over the past year.
"I trusted each of you to get the job done, and that is exactly what we did as a team," said Hart. "I am proud of the fact that everyone had a position on the team and played like a first-round draft pick."
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