CHIÈVRES, Belgium -- Derrick Hood remembers exactly when he became deputy garrison manager for USAG Benelux-Brussels. "I have been deputy garrison manager here for 33 months, less than three years," he said.
On Dec. 15, the community said farewell to Hood at the 3 Star Recreation Center in Brussels. Many people wanted to say a word for the former DGM. Army Col. Kurt Connell, garrison commander for U.S. Army Garrison Benelux, said that he never worried about the Brussels site during Hood's leadership. "Every time I had an engagement with any of the senior leaders or anyone in the community, the first thing they always told me is Derrick is great and fantastic," he said before giving him a frame with different symbols representing the community.
Before becoming the DGM, Hood worked for U.S. Army Installation Management Command Headquar-ters in San Antonio for the Commanding General's Initiative Group. Prior to that, he was the deputy to the garrison commander for the Army Support Activity in Soto Cano, Honduras.
On Dec. 22, Hood will go back to IMCOM Headquarters. This time he will serve as a senior program analyst, a new job for him. "It's a mix of emotions. I am excited to be going back home, but I'm going to miss the community here in Brussels and Belgium," Hood said.
Hood will remember the diversity of people and organiza-tions that support NATO. He will miss Belgium, he said, but he added that he will come back in the future.
At the end of the ceremony, Hood received the Superior Civilian Service Award. The new USAG Benelux-Brussels deputy garrison manager, Ray Myers, will assume responsibility on Dec. 22.
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