Presiding over the ceremony was Brig. Gen. Gregory Mason, assistant adjutant general – Army. Gargas takes over the command from Col. Sharon Martin who is now the commander of the 110th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade located in Kansas City. Prior to the change of command Gargas was promoted to the rank of Colonel.
“Colonel Gargas is a proven leader of troops,” Mason said. “His selection as commander of 70th Troop Command ensures the brigade will continue to have outstanding leadership it is accustomed to.”
Gargas is looking forward to serving as commander.
“I'm honored to be granted the opportunity to lead the 70th Troop Command,” said Gargas. “This is the largest, and arguably, the most engaged brigade in the Missouri National Guard. This is a tremendous opportunity and I'm looking forward to the challenge. Having spent the majority of my career within the engineer brigade, I am excited about this broadening assignment as well.”
Troop Command is Missouri’s largest brigade with three battalions, two military police and one combat sustainment, and 7th Civil Support Team. The 17 units and 10 detachments are spread over 23 locations across the state and provides over 2,300 Soldiers to the force. Troop Command consistently deploys units and personnel along with yearly state emergency duty, most recent and notable is Show Me Protection in Ferguson which was the largest state mobilization in over 40 years.
Troop Command also includes the Homeland Response Force mission within FEMA Region VII, one of 10 in the nation. This mission includes components from the Air National Guard located at St. Joseph and Jefferson Barracks.
Gargas is a 1986 graduate of Kennett High School and his military career spans over 28 years with his enlistment in Alpha Company, 1140th Engineer Battalion in January of 1987. He later joined the simultaneous membership program as an ROTC cadet in September 1987 remaining with the 1140th Engineer Battalion. He commissioned as a second lieutenant on 13 may 1989 and was assigned as a platoon leader with the headquarters, Headquarters Company, 1140th Engineer Battalion. He deployed with the battalion in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004-2005.
Gargas national guard positions held are platoon leader with Headquarters, Headquarter Company and Charlie company 1140th engineer battalion, and the 1221st transportation Company, Company Executive Officer, Charlie company, 1140th Engineer Battalion, S1 (personnel officer) 1140th Engineer Battalion, Company Commander with Charlie company 1140th, assistant operations officer, S4 (logistics officer), and operations officer for the 35th Engineer Brigade, S3 (training and operations officer) and executive officer for the 1140th Engineer Battalion, engineer coordinator with 35th infantry division, S3 (training and operations officer) 35th Engineer Brigade, Commander 1140th Engineer Battalion, and Deputy Commander 35th Engineer Brigade.
Colonel Gargas has completed US Army airborne school, engineer officer basic course, master fitness trainer course, nuclear/biological/chemical defense course, and engineer officer advance course, combined arms services staff school, Command and General Staff College, and graduated from the US Army War College with a Master of Strategic Studies. He is a graduate of William Woods University with a master’s degree in business administration, and southeast Missouri state university with a Bachelor of Science in business administration with a major in finance.
Gargas was accompanied by his wife Tina and son, Nate Gargas. Also in attendance were Brig. Gen. William Ward and State Command Sergeant Major Will Pierce.
A special thanks to the Bear Brass Ensemble from the Missouri Army National Guard 135th Army Band, located in Springfield who provided the music for this significant event.
For more information about the Missouri National Guard, please visit www.moguard.com and our social media sites: www.facebook.com/Missouri.National.Guard; www.twitter.com/Missouri_NG; www.youtube.com/MoNationalGuard; www.flickr.com/photos/missouriguard; www.moguard.com/blog; www.pinterest.com/monationalguard/
Written By: Sgt. Maj. Jay W. Marsden
mo.ngpao@mail.mil
Published: 11/25/2015
Shown in the photo: Col. Edward Gargas (r) receives the unit colors from Brig. Gen. Gregory Mason (c) as Col. Sharon Martin stands (l), during the recent 70th Troop Command change of command ceremony. Troop Command is the largest brigade in the Missouri National Guard. The ceremony was held at Jefferson Barracks recently. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Maj. Jay W. Marsden).
The True Colors Training program is a model for understanding yourself and others based on your personality temperament. The colors Orange, Gold, Green, and Blue are used to differentiate the four central personality styles of True Colors.
Tracey Glenn of Glenn View did an amazing job demonstrating and teaching those in attendance about their personality traits and how to use them in their personal day-to-day relationships and professional success. She gave insights into different motivations, actions and communication approaches defined by what color your were.
Also after a brief lunch the Leadership group had a chance to listen to three guest speakers. Dee Loflin, president of Dexter Rotary, Tim Aslin, of the Kiwanis, and Bill Hampton of the Dexter Lion's Club each spoke about their civic organization and how important it was for business leaders to join a local group and give back to the community.
Shown in the photo from left to right are Lea Jenkins, Hillary Starnes, Dexter Chamber Executive Director, Rhonda Hall, Jennifer Whitsell, Rachel Wade, Andrea Sisk, Tracey Glenn, Jason Banken, Debbie Stidham, Jake Nesselrodt, Kevin Bishop, Jennifer Caldwell, Mike Hobbs, Carol Roberts, and Kenny Rowland.
"Putting You First" is their goal. With Genesis Phase II, the consumer is the employer and has the freedom of hiring and directing his or her own attendants. Genesis Phase II serves as a vendor to provide the necessary administrative support services.
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Shown in the photo from left to right are Lisa Bemister, Genesis Case Manager, Sue Mayo, Jason Williams, Brooke Allen, Tyla Walker, Genesis COO-Director, Goldie DeGroot, Chamber Vice President, Paula Yancy, Chamber Secretary/Treasurer, Glen Cantrell, Chamber President, Sharron Geisler, Kelly Murphy, Genesis Administrative Assistant, and Tina Buchheit, Genesis Marketing Compliance.
Dexter, Missouri - Several Dexter Chamber members were on hand to commemorate the opening of the new location of Ozark Federal Credit Union in Dexter.
The special ribbon cutting was held at 1616 West Business Highway 60 with delicious treats for everyone to enjoy. Those who dropped in also were given free t-shirts. Who doesn't love good food and freebies?
Shown in the photo are Mark Stidham, Hillary Starnes, Chamber Executive Director, Chad Wolfram, Tim Aslin, Mayor Joe Weber, Connie Hampton, Bill Hampton, Kirk Monday, Christine Young, Kevin Bishop, Carol Monday, Davine Conover, Kim Crockett, and Lisa Gleason.
Kerigan Brady, Dexter High School Student Body President welcomed more than 2,000 Dexter students and several hundred guests and veterans from around Stoddard County. She also led the crowd with The Pledge of Allegiance.
Dexter Boy Scout Troop 200 presented the Colors and the Dexter High School Band performed the National Anthem.
Pastor George Nite of the First Baptist Church gave the invocation. Mayor Joe Weber performed the introduction of distinguished guests and introduced the high school band under the direction of Scott Rybolt with a Tribute to the Armed Services.
As each military song was played, Veterans of the military branches stood and saluted. Photos of the ceremony can be viewed on the ShowMe Times Facebook page in several photo albums.
SPC Katie Alsup, Missouri Army national Guard and Sheila Alsup, American Legion Auxiliary President were on hand to present the American Legion Auxiliary's 2nd Grade Coin Drive and Coloring Contest Winners, the 5th Grade Poster Contest Winners, and the 8th Grade Essay Contest Winners. (Each contest is written in a separate article on the ShowMe Times website under SCHOOLS.)
Mr. Herman Morse retired Sergeant of the United States Air Force was the guest speaker.
"All lives matter," commented Morse. "Whether we are talking about a skin color or a uniform color. The lives of the veterans, and those who lost or gave their lives - all lives matter. We should never forget their willingness to serve and we should never forget their sacrifice."
"Remember all gave some, and some gave all," he continued. "Don't forget the legacy of these veterans." He went on to recognize a few individuals in our community who have served in the military - the late Lt. Col. Cliff Manlove, Delores Bailiff, organizer of the Veterans Day event, Joe Weber, mayor of Dexter who served as a combat pilot during the Korean War and others who served.
Morse reminded the students that, "the well-being of our nation and our futures will be in your hands. For all of you from kindergarten to seniors, our community, our state, and our nation works best when people are willing to serve and willing to help out."
He encouraged the students to join a school club or volunteer in the community or just helping a neighbor. "Being a good citizen, YOU can make a difference."
"I encourage all of you to serve and to sacrifice in order that the legacy that all veterans served is preserved and remains intact. Remember all gave some, but some gave all."
Mr. Mitch Wood, Superintendent of Dexter Public Schools, gave the Sisler-Eskew-Parker Monument Wreath Presentation. This wreath can be viewed at City Hall in downtown Dexter.
A moment of silence and the playing of Taps concluded the ceremony.
