JBM-HH welcomes Duggan as new commander, bids farewell to Henderson

Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall bid farewell to Col. Michael D. Henderson on June 28 and welcomed Col. Patrick M. Duggan as commander during a traditional change of command ceremony June 28.

Henderson said he felt pride tempered with sadness as he stood before the crowd who gathered for the ceremony at Conmy Hall on the Fort Myer portion of the joint base.

"It seems like yesterday that I was standing here after the Colors were passed to me," he said, adding that, "and while it may seem like yesterday, in reality my command has seen what feels like a lifetime of activity and changes. One day the focus was facilities and a year later completely about force protection."

Henderson said that complex dynamic is what makes up the JBM-HH community, "where high-profile events are a daily occurrence, where our daily news is the national news and I wouldn't change any of it."

During his two-year tenure as commander, Henderson said he was privileged to partner with some of the most incredible and selfless organizations that can be found in the nation, in Arlington County and Southwest Washington, D.C. Among the organizations he lauded were the Arlington County Chamber of Commerce; Arlington County; the Radnor-Fort Myer Heights, Lynn Park, Penrose and Foxcroft Civic Associations; the Arlington County Civic Federation; the Washington Waterfront Association; the USO of Metropolitan Washington; and the American Red Cross-NCR.

Henderson also thanked the members of his command team, including Command Sgt. Maj. Randall E. Woods; current Deputy Joint Base Commander Marine Lt. Col. Eric Kelly, who served as the commander of troops during the ceremony and his predecessor, now-retired Marine Lt. Col. John Orille; Executive Officer Cisco Rivera; Chief of Staff Glenn Wait; and the Department of the Army civilians who comprise the joint base staff.

"It has been my absolute honor to have served as commander of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall," he said. "This position affords a commander opportunities found nowhere else in the Army."

Jokingly, Henderson said he, as base commander, has had the best commute in the National Capital Region.

"But seriously, each morning I watch the Caisson roll past my house and I listen to the funeral processions march by and I am reminded every day what it means to be a Soldier and why it's great to be a Soldier," he said. "The experience has been life-changing and extraordinary."

Henderson also welcomed Duggan and his wife, Lynda, and their sons, Ethan, Evan and Sam, to the joint base team.

"Pat, you are the right leader for the job and Beth and I look forward to hearing about your many successes to come," he said.

Henderson also thanked his wife, Beth, and children, Peter, Timothy and Grace for their unrelenting love and support throughout his Army career.

"Certainly, I have experienced things here that no other commander will ever see, but most importantly, it has afforded me the privilege of getting to know and work with all of you and we have been proud to call this our home," he concluded.

Davis D. Tindoll Jr., director, Atlantic Region, U.S. Army Installation Management Command, served as ceremony host.

"The Army does not train its officers to be joint base commanders, but it does develop leaders, leaders who are capable, innovative and motivated to handle the challenges of this type of command," he said. "That's how I'd describe Col. Mike Henderson."

Tindoll said that during his time as joint base commander, Henderson positioned the installation for continued success and set it on a path to become "an efficient, responsive and flexible organization capable of accomplishing its mission now and in the future."

Tindoll also said Henderson's tenure came at a time of resource uncertainty and other challenging requirements.

"He has ensured that every aspect of the joint base operations performed at -peak capability, despite persistent issues," Tindoll continued. "He has kept Soldier, Marine, civilian and family wellbeing at the forefront of decisions related to safety, security and professional development."

Noting that Duggan brings extensive experience to his new position, Tindoll welcomed the new commander and his family to the joint base.

"Pat, I am confident that with your demonstrated leadership you will build on the successes of your predecessors," he said. "The challenges are many, but I am confident you will bring new energy and excellence to the joint base garrison."

A native of Miami, Florida, Duggan was commissioned into the infantry after graduating from North Georgia College with a bachelor's degree in business administration in June of 1995. The career Special Forces Officer is proficient in four languages -- Arabic, Spanish, Tagalog and French.

Saying that he had some "big boots to fill," Duggan said that history, tradition and legacy are the elemental aspects of the nation's profession of arms.

"These values exemplify the nature of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall," he said. "The very stories of Fort Myer, Henderson Hall and Fort McNair are figuratively and literally woven into the historical fabric of our nation and even today, symbolize the proud heritage of both the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps."

Despite today's bristling pace of technology, daunting national threats and unclear security challenges, Duggan said that JBM-HH's "tradition of excellence is upheld every day by the exceptional service of its diverse team of military members, government civilians, surrounding communities and tireless volunteers."

The U.S. Army Band "Pershing's Own" provided music during the ceremony, with vocalist Master Sgt. Antonio S. Giuliano performing the National Anthem and the Army Song and Marines' Hymn; Chap. (Lt. Col.) Steven M. Jones gave the invocation.

Pentagram Staff Writer Julia LeDoux can be reached at jledoux@dcmilitary.com.