Flags flew against a clear blue sky Saturday morning as soldiers and their families looked on while Mississippi National Guard officials held a change of command ceremony for leadership in the McComb-based 1st 155th Infantry Battalion.
Lt. Col. Michael Dykes relinquished his responsibilities to Lt. Col. Martin Fox.
Soliders presented a bouquet of red roses to Dykes’ mother, Caroline.
Dykes choked back tears as he expressed his gratitude and love for the battalion and his country.
“We’ve been through a lot,” he told the soliders. “I wouldn’t be here without you.”
He spoke proudly of the 18 years he’d spent in the Guard, most of those in the 1-155th.
Dykes told the soldiers that this ceremony was an indication of their future.
“This isn’t my time, this isn’t command’s time, this is your time,” he said. “The next brigade commander, the next sergeant major is standing out there. You will never have any memories better than these.”
He told them to remember the soliders who didn’t make it to where they are now.
During the ceremony, Dykes also received the Meritorious Service Medal.
McComb native Col. Jeffery Van, the current Commander for 1st 155th Armored Brigade Combat Team a larger unit made up of thousands of Mississippi Guardsmen, including the 1-155th — told Dykes he was proud of his service.
He told families the soliders would be headed to Multi-Eschelon Integrated Brigade Training in Fort Hood, Texas, in June.
Next year, the brigade will go to the National Training Center in Fort Irwin, Calif.
“This will be an exciting time for you,” Van told Fox.
He recognized the families in attendance and thanked them for supporting the soliders.
Van said soldiers’ families don’t receive the recognition they deserve.
Turning to Martin’s family, Van said, “I challenge y’all to show up in another three years if Martin makes it to another change of command.
Fox, also visibly choked up, expressed his gratefulness for the opportunity to serve.
“Thank you for trusting in me, and I will not let you down,” Fox said.
Also Saturday, Command Sgt. Maj. Silvester Tatum relinquished his supervision of the unit to Command Sgt. Maj. Dwight Brown.
The soliders presented Brown’s wife Pamela Brown with a bouquet of yellow roses, symbolizing the growth Brown will undergo as the new command sergeant major.
Sgt. Maj. Roger Gillentine said Tatum had been a keeper of the battalion’s colors and a sterling example for all Guardsman to embrace.
“Tatum has been the epitome of what a command sargent should be,” Gillentine said.
He said he has confidence in what Brown can do, too.
“Brown is more than capable for the task,” Gillentine said.
He told the soliders when they had a problem not to hesitate to ask Brown.
“Look to him when you have a question and if he can’t answer it, then he can find the answer for you,” he said.
Tatum, who will take a new position in the Guard, said he was proud of the years he’s spent with his soldiers.
“You name it, we’ve done it together,” he said.
Tatum told Brown’s wife Pamela not to be upset with her husband for the random calls he’ll get in the future, because it’ll probably be him, just checking in.
“If you ever need anything, don’t hesitate to call, y’all got my number,” he said. “Thank y’all for giving me the opportunity to be your sargent major.”
Brown said he’s not very good at speeches but is thankful for the opportunity to serve Mississippi and the nation.
“I thank my mom, Rachel Forrest-Bryant, for not shutting the door in the recruiter’s face when he came. If she’d shut the door, I wouldn’t have gotten this opportunity,” he said, “I’m looking forward to serving as your sargent major. I’m here for you.”
Brown has been in the Army National Guard for 24 years. He and his wife Pamela live in Tupelo and have four children, Victor Williams Jr., Latisha Williams, Reconnia Brown and Kiare Brown.
He’s employed with Toyota in Bluff Springs. Brown said he’s excited for the opportunity.
“I just thank God and I’m thankful for the opportunity to serve,” he said.
Tatum, from Rolling Fork, has served in the Guard for 32 years.
