704th MI Brigade celebrates 25 years

By Staff Sgt. Taikeila ChanceyJanuary 8, 2013

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As many Soldiers returned after taking time off for the holidays, the 704th Military Intelligence Brigade celebrated 25 years of existence, Jan. 2.

The unit's festivities began with a three-mile run around Ft. George G. Meade, Md., and wrapped up with a cake-cutting ceremony involving the brigade's youngest and oldest Soldiers.

Pfc. Demetris J. Fields, of Company A, 742nd MI Battalion, and Sgt. Major Thomas W. Eisemann, of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 704th MI Brigade, assisted the command team in a ceremonial cake cutting during luncheon at McGill Training Center on post.

Though the unit can trace its lineage back to 1954, it was re-designated as the 704th MI Brigade on Jan. 1, 1988.

"A Soldier from this brigade has been involved in every operation our nation has been involved in since 1988," said Col. Anthony R. Hale, commander, 704th MI Brigade. "We have been a part of every mission since the brigade was designated."

The ceremony was significant for Eisemann, who arrived to the unit in May 1988 shortly after it became an intelligence brigade. Now, 25 years later, Eisemann is back with the 704th MI Brigade for his final assignment before retiring.

"I have taken part in numerous ceremonies during my time in service, but this one brought back many great memories," said Eisemann.

Command Sgt. Maj. Mark A. Thornton, command sergeant major, 704th MI Brigade, stressed the importance of commemorating the significance of the brigade and the Army.

"What the last decade has done to the Army is limit opportunities to maintain traditions," he said. "Taking the opportunity to recognize this anniversary is part of trying to get back the customs and courtesies.

"You'll start seeing more and more of these traditions within the brigade," Thornton continued. "The Army's birthday ball, the military intelligence ball and dining-ins are all ways to recognize significant events in important ways. A lot of professional development is tied in to history and tradition, and units are responsible for teaching this to the Soldiers."