Fort Campbell, KY – Col. Daniel R. Walrath, the outgoing commander of the 2nd brigade combat team; and his wife Christine were recognized a short ceremony for their leadership of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). They were credited with improving the quality of life for the soldiers and families in a ceremony that took place shortly before the 2nd Brigade Combat Team’s Change of Command Ceremony ceremony on Monday, July 22nd at the division parade field on Fort Campbell.
During the ceremony Col. Walrath was awarded the Legion of Merit, and the Distinguished Member of the Regiment Pin for the 502nd Infantry Regiment by Brig. Gen. Mark R. Stammer, the acting commander of Fort Campbell, KY, while the 101st Airborne Division is deployed to Afghanistan.
Col. Walrath’s wife Christine received The Commander’s Certificate, and the Outstanding Civilian Service Medal from Maria McConville, the wife of Maj. Gen. James C. McConville; the commander of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault).
After the award presentation Col. Walrath and his wife Christine spoke with the audience about their experiences while serving with the 2nd Brigade Combat Team.
During her remarks Christine Walrath thanked those who helped her through the terrible time she endured after her husband was critically injured in Afghanistan; when a suicide bomber attacked his unit three months into their deployment.
When he took the floor Col. Walrath summed it all up, “The last two years sufficed to say have been nothing even close to what Christine and I expected.” But he assured the crowd that he, “Wouldn’t change one minute of it, not for anything.” Walrath then thanked the soldiers in leadership positions throughout the Brigade Combat Team for their skill and professionalism. Walrath’s voice cracked several times during his remarks highlighting the emotional intensity he was facing at the thought of relinquishing his command of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team.
Talking about his soldiers, Walrath said, “They are great American heroes. They volunteered to serve their nation in a time of war!” Speaking of the upcoming change of command ceremony, he remarked, “I am not going to get to rub shoulders with them as much as I used to after today, but I want to thank them for just being Strike soldiers!”
His entire remarks are included below they begin at 23 minutes into the video.
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