SAN DIEGO -- An early summer day in San Diego can mean a variety of things. For the military, the summer season is up-tempo and busier than most. Military bands are booked and ceremony locations are already reserved by May. Public Health Activity-San Diego (PHA-SD) was one of the commands that took part in a summer time change of command ceremony.
Public Health Command-Pacific (PHC-P) commander, Col. David W. Seed and his senior enlisted advisor, Sgt. Maj. Roosevelt Nettles, Jr. attended the recent change of command ceremony in San Diego.
Under a beautiful blue sky at Breakers Beach, Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego, Calif., a crowd of personnel, family, and friends gathered to bid farewell to PHA-SD's outgoing commander, Lt. Col. Jacquelyn S. Parker and to welcome Lt. Col. Lisa T. Read.
As he offered remarks, Seed noted, "Benjamin Franklin, one of the founding fathers of the United States, once said, 'Well done is better than well said'. The meaning of these words is fairly easy to understand, but they serve as an excellent reminder to us. The things that we do for others are so much more important than the things we say to others."
In her speech, Parker clearly acknowledged the secret to her success lay squarely in providing a path for the soldiers and civilians of PHA-SD to do their best work. She pointed out that while her duty description states that she was responsible for support for global operations of a variety of programs and initiatives, in reality, she considered her role differently.
"Really, I've only provided the guidance to the officers, NCO's, and civilians within PHA-San Diego to ensure we were able to accomplish our mission at hand. Without you and the soldiers, none of this would have been possible," she noted. "I can't say it enough, thank you to the soldiers and civilians of PHA-San Diego. I hope you've been able to learn as much from me as I've learned from you over the past two years," she continued.
As Seed welcomed incoming unit commander Read, he counseled, "Never forget that command is the highest privilege the Army can bestow on a commissioned officer. I have full faith and confidence that you take on this responsibility with strength and enthusiasm. We look forward to your leadership and welcome you to the team."
In introducing herself to her new unit, Read instructed, ". . . please know that I intend to do everything in my power to ensure that this great unit continues to excel . . . To the soldiers and civilians of Public Health Activity -- San Diego, my guidance to you is simple: do your best, do what is right, show that you care, and finally, enjoy what you do."
Read comes to California from Fort Detrick, Md. where she served as the product manager in the Pharmaceutical Systems Project Management Office of the U.S. Army Medical Materiel Development Activity.
Parker now heads to Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, TX for her next assignment as the director of the Department of Defense Military Working Dog Veterinary Services.
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