Outgoing commander, Capt. Colby Whitehill, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, U.S. Army Garrison Fort Huachuca, passes the colors to Col. Whit Wright, Fort Huachuca garrison commander, signifying his relinquishing of command at the change of comm...

Col. Whit Wright, Fort Huachuca garrison commander, passed the colors to Capt. Michael Durham, incoming Headquarters and Headquarters Company, U.S. Army Garrison Fort Huachuca, signifying his acceptance of command at the change of command ceremony Ma...

Col. Whit Wright, Fort Huachuca garrison commander, delivers a farewell and welcoming remarks to the outgoing and incoming commanders of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, U.S. Army Garrison Fort Huachuca, during the change of command ceremony Ma...

Outgoing commander, Capt. Colby Whitehill, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, U.S. Army Garrison Fort Huachuca, gives farewell remarks during the change of command ceremony May 11 on Brown Parade Field.
(Photo Credit: Fort Huachuca Public Affairs...

Incoming commander Capt. Michael Durham, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, U.S. Army Garrison Fort Huachuca, gives farewell remarks during the change of command ceremony May 11 on Brown Parade Field.
(Photo Credit: Fort Huachuca Public Affairs L...

FORT HUACHUCA, Arizona -- The command of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, U.S. Army Garrison was transferred from Capt. Colby Whitehill to Capt. Michael Durham at the change of command ceremony May 11 on Brown Parade Field.

Col. Whit Wright, Fort Huachuca garrison commander and guest speaker, said the change of command was an important milestone "in the lives of two families and one great organization.

"These kinds of ceremonies really do provide meaningful opportunities to celebrate accomplishments while at the same time, embrace the continuity of our mission."

Wright said the work HHC USAG is tasked with is some of the "most serious, sobering and important missions on the installation. Its Honor Guard are ambassadors for both Fort Huachuca and the U.S. Army at funerals, burials, at services, at commemorative ceremonies. There is little margin for error, inefficiencies or lapses of judgment, especially given the nature of the mission.

"Every leader in the Army, to include the Chief of Staff of the Army, has a company commander," Wright said to Whitehill. "You are my company commander and that's not lost on me. You've stood at the helm of this great organization since December 2015."

Whitehill has overseen 1,273 funeral services, and 106 ceremonies involving the Honor Guard

"Let that sink in for a minute in terms of the impact they have had in the area," Wright said. "Imagine the number of families that have been affected by that."

Wright complimented Whitehill on his potential for leadership and his emotional intelligence.

"And you possess all of those skills -- self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, social skills," the garrison commander said. "Your focus and emphasis with the company was exactly where it needed to be at the time."

Wright then addressed Durham and welcomed him.

"Mike, you've earned a fantastic reputation. You are exactly the person we need at the exact right time. Without question, you are the right person for this job. So enjoy command."

Whitehill reminisced, "I'm humbled and honored to have served with all the Soldiers and Civilians of Garrison and all of Fort Huachuca. This company truly embodies the concept of team.

"I'd like to thank the Soldiers and Families of HHC for their dedication and sacrifice. You are truly amazing people. I am honored to have known and served with you. I will forever be better for it."

To Durham, Whitehill said "I wish you all the best on this long, hard road. The NCOs and Soldiers will take good care of you, and I know you will take care of them. Good luck."

"I'm looking forward to leading the company with distinction," said Durham. "With that, Warden 6, signing on."