REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- The 650-seat Bob Jones Auditorium was filled Sept. 10 as a new era began for the Aviation and Missile Command and Redstone Arsenal.
And the seats were unoccupied during the first of two standing ovations for the retiring commander, Maj. Gen. Jim Myles. Everyone stood and applauded when he received his retirement certificate for his more than 36 years of service. And everyone stood and applauded again after his farewell remarks.
The incoming commander, Maj. Gen. Jim Rogers, knows he has big shoes to fill.
"What a great day for our Army," Gen. Ann Dunwoody, commander of the Army Materiel Command and the change of command ceremony's reviewing officer, said. "And what a great day for this community and these two outstanding officers and their families."
She recognized Jim and Alice Myles, who will remain in the Huntsville community, for their service - not just for the past three years but for the entire more than 36 years. And she welcomed Jim and Reba Rogers as their AMCOM successors.
"I'm not retiring. We're both retiring, we really are," said Myles, referring to himself and his wife of 37 years. "It's been a journey."
After praising his successor - "they don't get any better than General Rogers" - Myles addressed Redstone's new first couple.
"Welcome to the community," Myles said. "And God bless you. I'm so happy to see you guys here. I really am."
After Myles' heartfelt thanks to the community, work force and his family, and the final standing ovation, it was Rogers' turn to speak.
"I don't know how to follow that. I really don't," Rogers said. "Jim is a legend here, and Alice is a bigger legend. And I tell you, it's big shoes to fill. Thank you for everything that you've done."
Social Sharing