FORT HOOD, Texas -- A June 28 ceremony outside III Corps Headquarters here saw U.S. Army Garrison Fort Hood send off one commander as another took his place.
Col. Mark Freitag passed the Garrison Command colors onto Col. Matthew Elledge. Freitag leaves Central Texas to become the deputy commander, U.S. Army Alaska at Fort Wainwright, Alaska.
Elledge takes over the Garrison Command following completion of a fellowship at Texas A&M University.
In his remarks following the passing of the colors to the new commander, Maj. Gen. Reuben Jones, the deputy commanding general for operations for U.S. Army Installation Management Command, said Elledge has a head start on his new assignment.
"He's been on the installation since January," Jones said of Elledge, who made good use of the proximity of his educational opportunity. "It's the mark of a leader who wants to be ready from day one."
Jones, likewise, commended Freitag for his two-year tenure as the installation commander at the Great Place, noting the myriad of Army and Department of Defense-level awards and recognition Fort Hood has achieved in that time, including earning Army Community of Excellence status both years.
III Corps and Fort Hood Commanding General Lt. Gen. Don Campbell Jr. also praised Freitag and his wife, Patty, for their efforts to make the Great Place greater.
"Mark and Patty, thank you for your service to these Soldiers, their Families and Fort Hood," Campbell said. "Be proud in all you've done for the Great Place. I know we could not have asked more of you as you ensured the highest of standards and continued success here at Fort Hood."
In welcoming Elledge, Campbell said he's the right man for the job.
"He's a proven combat warrior who brings a wealth of experience to the job," Campbell said.
In his farewell address, Freitag thanked his Garrison Command team.
"Well done," he said. "Your work has not gone unnoticed. Fort Hood Garrison has won DoD, Army, IMCOM and state recognition for the great work being done by your garrison team. They are effective, efficient and always looking for better ways to do the business of the garrison."
To his successor, Freitag referred to an oft-used analogy he uses to describe the Garrison Command, calling it his "horse."
"Feed the horse. Groom the horse. Love the horse," he told Elledge. "It will be a superb ride."
In his brief remarks, Elledge joked that it was important for him to get a head start on his new assignment.
"Gen. Jones, thank you for those kind remarks. I am dedicated to this job," he quipped, "but Mark figured out I was kind of slow. He knew I'd have to have a long transition, and he did a great job."
Joking aside, Elledge offered a message to the service members who make up the Great Place.
"To the commanders, Soldiers and Families," Elledge said, "Sam and I are so honored to serve you. We will work hard to make sure that you and your Families are taken care of, so that you can stay focused at the mission at hand."
To his new command teammates, Elledge said, "All I ask is that we never settle and continue to work to make Fort Hood a better place every day. Our Soldiers and Families deserve nothing less."
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