DETROIT ARSENAL, Mich. - Standing in front of the M977 Heavy Expanded Mobility Truck display at the Detroit Arsenal’s main building, Capt. Jose Baldwin laughs as his son Micah steadfastly refuses to look at the camera. One glimpse of Army birthday cake, though, gains a quick change of priorities for the Army-apparel-clad infant. “He loves cake,” Baldwin says smiling as they get their picture taken.
For Baldwin, Micah and the rest of the family, celebrating the Army’s 248th birthday at the Arsenal highlights the way that the Army has played a unique role in their lives, and represents the changes that being the U.S. Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command’s outgoing Headquarters and Headquarters Company commander will bring in the coming days.
As the Army celebrates its legacy of fighting and winning the nation’s wars, Col. Steven Carozza, TACOM’s Chief of Staff, pointed out that the Army has long relied on the success of individuals to accomplish its mission of supporting and defending the Constitution. “Today, we are bidding farewell to Capt. Baldwin,” said Carozza. Carozza continued by stating that “[Baldwin and the] HHC leadership team made it their mission to support individual Soldiers by fostering a greater sense of collective identity and ensuring that each departing Soldier was recognized for their service to TACOM and the nation.” Taking the podium, Baldwin offered his thanks to his team and the crowd, noting “ … you know how important you guys are to me and how much our service matters – thank you for being part of something bigger than yourself.”
As Baldwin passed the colors over to incoming HHC Commander Capt. Marques Adams, the transfer of command was officially completed. Adams, accompanied by members of his family in front of the assembled crowd of Arsenal employees, remarked to them that “I couldn’t be here without you. The Army is built upon families. To my beautiful wife, you have been my number one supporter. I can’t say thank you enough.” As part of the ceremony, the families of the incoming and outgoing commanders each received a symbolic bouquet of roses, symbolizing both the service done by Baldwin and the term of service that Adams will begin. The roses are traditionally handed to the spouse as a commemoration of the contribution Army Families make throughout a Soldier’s career.
With the TACOM HHC command invested in Adams, the official party exited. The ceremony was timed to coincide with the Army’s 248th birthday, commemorating the long legacy of honor and service that Soldiers and their Families have rendered to their communities. To little Micah, though, that could be appreciated later, as he steadily eyed the soon-to-be cut Army birthday cake. What mattered was that his dad was there holding him... and the cake.
Social Sharing