Hundreds of distinguished guests, local officials and depot members gathered for the Red River Army Depot Change of Command ceremony June 12, as Col. Doyle Lassitter relinquished command of the depot to Col. Brandon L. Grubbs.

Officiating the ceremony was Maj. Gen. Michael J. Terry, commanding general for TACOM Life Cycle Management Command.

"Today, we bid farewell to a tremendous leader, Col. Doyle Lassitter," said Terry. "Doyle leads by example and cares about the workforce. He is dedicated to the depot's mission. Watching over a workforce in the face of declining budgets and resources is the biggest challenge a depot commander will face. Doyle did a superb job in trying circumstances. With Doyle Lassitter, you had an advocate who worked tirelessly on your behalf."

Terry continued his speech and discussed his connection to Grubbs.

"The Army selected the right person to lead this organization," he said. "Brandon Grubbs has an excellent reputation and is a tremendous, well tested combat leader. I have firsthand knowledge of Brandon. I've known him since he was a lieutenant where we both served in Germany. At one point he worked for me or rather I should say, he taught me. You're not going to find anybody better in knowing this business than Brandon Grubbs."

Before the depot colors were passed between Lassitter and Grubbs, Joe Johnson, narrator for the ceremony, announced the entry of depot team member Rhonda O'Neal and defense finance and accounting service employee Alice Hendrix who began the Texas Salute. Riding their horses, O'Neal and Hendrix performed the salute and presented flowers to Christine Lassitter and Kim Grubbs, wives of both commanders.

The honor guard for the ceremony was the 20th Engineer Batallion 36th Engineer Brigade, Ft Hood, Texas. Music was provided by the Army Materiel Command Band's Arsenal Brass Quintet as well as Matthew Butler who sang the National Anthem. Garland Yarber gave the invocation for the ceremony.

Lassitter will attend the War College in Montgomery, Alabama.

"For the last three years, I've been blessed to serve as your 39th commander," said Lassitter. "The mission of an army depot is to conduct overhaul maintenance operations of equipment, but you know the real mission of Red River Army Depot is to save lives of Soldiers."

Lassitter continued speaking highly of the depot team members.

"I am truly amazed by your dedication to mission support," he said. "I look forward to hearing about more great accomplishments from this depot. Always build it as if your lives depend on it -- theirs do."