SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii --A deactivation ceremony is often described as a solemn event
but something remarkable occurred Oct. 3 on Weyand Field, here, on Schofield Barracks, as 1st Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 'Golden Dragons', 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, cased its colors for the last time.
It was a reunion filled with laughter, fond memories and more noticeably pride from past Golden Dragons who attended the ceremony to say farewell to their old battalion.
"I was motivated to attend for all those that could not be here," said Mark Larson, who served multiple times in the battalion from 1995 to 2005. "Just walk through the halls of the Battalion and you will see the men and women that served in this unit and see where they are now. They are still making a difference in the Army today with the training they received from former Golden Dragons."
"It's impossible to express the feeling and pride you have being a Golden Dragon," said Ray Borrego.
Borrego was assigned to 1-14th Inf. Bn. from 2002 through 2008 as a combat medic.
"Thousands of us still communicate regularly through social media to this day encompassing our previous brothers from the Vietnam Era to current unit members," said Borrega. "I wouldn't miss this for the world!"
The 1-14th Inf. Bn. has participated in every major campaign since the Civil War.
In 1966, they were positioned along the Cambodian Border preventing the North Vietnamese from cutting South Vietnam in half.
Forty-four years later the Golden Dragons deployed to Iraq in support of Operation New Dawn to train and assist Iraqi forces in 2010.
"First, from its beginnings in the Civil War, until this very moment, the Golden Dragons have always been "Right of the Line", representing the best of America," said Col. Anthony Lugo, commanding officer for 2nd IBCT during his remarks for the ceremony.
Many of the Golden Dragon's historical items were transferred to 2nd Battalion, 14 Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division, at Fort Drum, New York.
Items with significance to the Golden Dragon's lineage to the 25th Infantry Division were donated to the 25th Infantry Division's Museum, here.
The 1-14th Inf. Bn. was selected to case its colors as part of the Army's recent force structure and realignment in the decision to convert 2/25 to an IBCT.
Lt. Col. David Krzycki and Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Spear are now the last command team to have led the Golden Dragons.
"My greatest military honor in life has been to command such fine Soldiers," said Krzycki. "Today marks the end of Golden Dragons here in Hawaii, however when called these colors will rise and perform its mission because of the men and women underneath it."
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