FORT BRAGG, N.C. (May 18, 2012) After more than 34 years of service, Maj. Gen. Mark A. Graham bid farewell to the Army today during a ceremony hosted by Gen. David M. Rodriguez, the commanding general of U.S. Army Forces Command.
Graham last assignment of many over his career was as the deputy of chief of staff for the FORSCOM G-3/5/7 (Plans, Operations, Training).
"Your service resume is impressive," Rodriguez told Graham. "It reflects superior performance in some of the most challenging duty assignments on our Army.
"You're a patriot. You're respected as a leader, admired as a successful officer, and valued as a comrade," the FORSCOM commander added.
Commissioned as a second lieutenant of Field Artillery in 1977 at Murray State University, Murray, Ky., Graham served in several key command and staff positions in the United States, Germany, and Korea. They included brigade command in California, where he was the first Active Duty Army colonel to command a National Guard brigade in peacetime; commander of the Battlefield Coordination Detachment, Osan, Korea; chief of staff and later deputy commander of the U.S. Field Artillery Center and Fort Sill, Okla.; executive officer to U.S. Forces Korea commander, deputy commanding general of Fifth Army, where he supported evacuation and relief operations following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita; and commander of First Army - Division West and Fort Carson, Colo.
"After 34 years, I did not get here by myself. In fact, I got here in spite of myself," Graham observed humbly. "Officers, NCOs, and Soldiers alike have carried me along the way, and I thank each and every one for letting me stand on their shoulders. Because of them, I stand before you today. Any success I've had is a direct reflection of them, not me."
Maj. Gen. Graham and his wife, Carol, were also honored during the ceremony for tirelessly championing military and civilian efforts to promote mental health and suicide prevention awareness.
"Our sons, Jeff and Kevin, died fighting different battles," Graham acknowledged. Kevin Graham died by suicide in 2003 while a senior ROTC cadet studying to become an Army doctor; nine months later 2nd Lt. Jeff Graham was killed by a roadside bomb in Iraq. Since then Maj. Gen. and Mrs. Graham have dedicated themselves to helping people in the military and the civilian world to learn about and prevent suicide.
"Your strength is inspiring to all--more so because you and Carol took this loss and transformed it into hopes for so many others by ensuring support and advocating programs," Rodriguez said.
After thanking many people for their support and friendship, Graham said that his retirement from the Army came with mixed feelings.
"While Carol and I are sad to leave such a great Army, we are also excited about continuing to serve in some other way in the future," he said.
In concluding his remarks, Graham asked everyone to keep in mind those who have fallen in the service of the country to ensure America's freedoms for generations to come.
"I also ask you to think about our wounded service members, many of whom have wounds you can see but many who have wounds you cannot see that are sometimes tougher to heal than the wounds you can see," Graham said. "Please keep them and their Families in your thoughts and prayers as they travel their challenging journey toward recovery."
Maj. Gen. Graham's numerous awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, the Bronze Star Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, and the Humanitarian Service Medal.
In addition to his bachelor's degree in political science from Murray State University, he holds a Master of Arts in Business Administration from Oklahoma City University and a master's in national security and strategic studies from the National Defense University. He is also a graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and the National War College.
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