WEBVTT 00:20.899 --> 00:23.079 Good morning . Ladies and gentlemen , 00:23.549 --> 00:26.569 on behalf of Major General William 00:26.579 --> 00:29.159 Butch Graham , the Deputy Chief of 00:29.170 --> 00:31.950 Engineers and Deputy Commanding General 00:31.959 --> 00:34.770 of the US Army Corps of Engineers . 00:34.779 --> 00:37.299 Welcome to the Northwestern Division's 00:37.310 --> 00:41.310 change of command ceremony this morning , 00:41.520 --> 00:43.830 we bid farewell to the outgoing 00:43.840 --> 00:46.580 commander , Brigadier General Jeff Van 00:46.590 --> 00:49.950 EPPS and welcome our incoming commander , 00:49.970 --> 00:53.349 Brigadier General , Bill Hannon . At 00:53.369 --> 00:56.189 this time , we would like to recognize 00:56.200 --> 00:58.256 some of our distinguished guests who 00:58.256 --> 01:00.970 have joined us today . Please hold your 01:00.979 --> 01:03.270 applause until all the introductions 01:03.279 --> 01:07.230 have been completed from Brigadier 01:07.239 --> 01:09.739 General Van EPPS family , his wife 01:09.750 --> 01:12.370 Erica , their Children , Ryan and 01:12.379 --> 01:15.709 Jackson Van EPPS . His parents , 01:15.739 --> 01:18.410 colonel , retired Jim and Jane Vans 01:20.300 --> 01:22.578 from Brigadier General Hannan's family , 01:22.889 --> 01:26.029 his wife , Colonel Sally Hannon and 01:26.040 --> 01:29.300 their Children , Caroline , Billie and 01:29.309 --> 01:32.839 Elliot Rose Hannon from our 01:32.849 --> 01:35.669 veterans community . Major general , 01:35.680 --> 01:39.569 retired Kent Sabre and his wife , Mary 01:39.580 --> 01:43.459 Beth , Brigadier General , retired 01:43.610 --> 01:44.529 Pete Heller , 01:46.860 --> 01:49.370 representing our tribal partners , 01:49.550 --> 01:52.370 Shannon Wheeler , chairman of the Nez 01:52.379 --> 01:56.000 Perce tribe , commissioners , Coren 01:56.099 --> 01:59.970 Sams and Ron Sa from the Columbia 01:59.980 --> 02:02.400 River Intertribal Fish Commission 02:03.839 --> 02:07.309 and are many important and valued 02:07.319 --> 02:10.100 partners and tribal leaders from across 02:10.110 --> 02:12.330 the Pacific Northwest and Missouri 02:12.339 --> 02:16.000 River basin . Commanders , friends , 02:16.009 --> 02:18.570 colleagues and family , welcome 02:28.740 --> 02:31.470 from time and memorial armies 02:31.479 --> 02:33.779 throughout the world have conducted 02:33.789 --> 02:36.759 ceremonies to commemorate victory over 02:36.770 --> 02:40.360 an enemy , to honor their heroes , to 02:40.369 --> 02:43.470 celebrate special occasions or to pay 02:43.479 --> 02:47.029 homage to their fallen comrades . These 02:47.039 --> 02:49.979 ceremonies add color and pageantry to 02:49.990 --> 02:53.490 military life in the United States . 02:53.580 --> 02:55.350 The foundation of our present 02:55.360 --> 02:58.110 ceremonies was laid by the continental 02:58.119 --> 03:01.600 army . Today's ceremony is 03:01.610 --> 03:04.449 derived from our army's first manual of 03:04.460 --> 03:07.960 ceremonies . The blue book written by 03:07.970 --> 03:11.279 General Von Steuben . The 03:11.289 --> 03:13.869 ceremony that you are about to see 03:14.110 --> 03:16.779 includes the arrival of the official 03:16.789 --> 03:19.740 party presentation of honors 03:20.559 --> 03:23.789 honors to the nation , the change of 03:23.800 --> 03:27.460 command remarks and the conclusion , 03:29.080 --> 03:32.949 the 234 th army band conducted 03:32.960 --> 03:36.110 by First Sergeant Jesus Cruz is 03:36.119 --> 03:38.250 providing the music for today's 03:38.259 --> 03:41.589 ceremony . We hope you enjoy this 03:41.600 --> 03:42.559 historic event 03:46.229 --> 03:48.779 on behalf of the soldiers , civilians 03:48.789 --> 03:50.622 and families of the Northwestern 03:50.622 --> 03:53.889 Division . Miss Wendy Capley is 03:53.899 --> 03:56.690 presenting Missus Erica Van EPPS , a 03:56.699 --> 04:00.419 bouquet of red roses . The 04:00.429 --> 04:03.619 presentation of a bouquet of roses has 04:03.630 --> 04:06.199 long been a tradition of the change of 04:06.210 --> 04:09.729 command ceremony . Red is the color of 04:09.740 --> 04:11.990 the heart and reflects the loving 04:12.000 --> 04:15.089 concern that Missus Van EPPS has shown 04:15.100 --> 04:17.450 to the division over the past years , 04:18.579 --> 04:20.679 the roses are in full bloom to 04:20.690 --> 04:23.640 symbolize the beauty and fulfillment of 04:23.649 --> 04:26.329 her time with us . As First Lady of the 04:26.339 --> 04:30.239 Division , Mrs 04:30.250 --> 04:33.100 Jane Vennes , mother of Brigadier 04:33.109 --> 04:35.269 General , Jeff Vannes receives a 04:35.279 --> 04:37.959 bouquet of flowers in appreciation of 04:37.970 --> 04:39.279 her timeless support . 04:43.730 --> 04:46.910 Miss Lisa Lason is now presenting a 04:46.920 --> 04:49.940 bouquet of yellow roses to Colonel 04:49.950 --> 04:53.119 Sally Hannon to welcome her and the 04:53.130 --> 04:55.299 Hannon family to the organization . 04:56.820 --> 04:59.510 Yellow represents the color of a new 04:59.519 --> 05:02.239 friendship and a warm welcome to our 05:02.250 --> 05:02.869 division . 05:12.040 --> 05:14.559 Now please rise for the arrival of the 05:14.570 --> 05:17.660 official party and remain standing for 05:17.670 --> 05:20.279 the playing of honors our national 05:20.290 --> 05:23.269 anthem and the invocation given by 05:23.279 --> 05:25.959 General Van EPPS , father and former 05:25.970 --> 05:28.010 North Central division commander . 05:28.079 --> 05:31.959 Colonel , retired Jim EPPS , major 05:31.970 --> 05:34.369 General Graham has deferred honors to 05:34.380 --> 05:35.991 Brigadier General Van EPPS . 07:46.089 --> 07:48.145 That's all it took was a fine eyes , 07:48.145 --> 07:47.880 lower leg . 07:52.299 --> 07:55.179 Let's bow our heads , please . Almighty 07:55.190 --> 07:57.399 father in this beautiful setting . 07:57.410 --> 08:00.019 Again , we are reminded that this is 08:00.029 --> 08:02.359 the day that you have made . Let us 08:02.369 --> 08:05.450 rejoice and be glad and so we do . 08:05.459 --> 08:07.799 Thank you and we rejoice dear Lord for 08:07.809 --> 08:09.976 this day and for all the blessings you 08:09.976 --> 08:12.179 bestowed on us were gathered at the 08:12.190 --> 08:14.357 special ceremony to witness the change 08:14.357 --> 08:16.468 in leadership . The change of command 08:16.630 --> 08:18.797 of Northwestern Division of the United 08:18.797 --> 08:20.963 States Army Corps of Engineers between 08:20.963 --> 08:22.797 Jeffrey R , Van EPPS , brigadier 08:22.797 --> 08:25.019 general and Brigadier General William C 08:25.019 --> 08:27.579 Hannon . First , we thank you for the 08:27.589 --> 08:29.730 blessings of leadership , judgment , 08:29.989 --> 08:31.989 professionalism , and interpersonal 08:31.989 --> 08:33.822 skills with which you've endowed 08:33.822 --> 08:35.989 General Van EPPS that have enabled him 08:35.989 --> 08:38.045 to carry out his responsibilities as 08:38.045 --> 08:40.100 commander and division engineer over 08:40.100 --> 08:42.679 these past three years . We also thank 08:42.690 --> 08:44.523 you for the strength and comfort 08:44.523 --> 08:46.857 brought to him by his family . His wife , 08:46.857 --> 08:50.429 Erica and Children , Ryan Jackson and 08:50.440 --> 08:52.960 Addison . As he moves to his next 08:52.969 --> 08:55.191 assignment as Deputy Commanding general 08:55.191 --> 08:57.469 of Three Corps . Please watch over him , 08:57.469 --> 08:59.691 give him those same attributes plus the 08:59.691 --> 09:02.039 wisdom and strength necessary to carry 09:02.049 --> 09:04.849 out his responsibilities and take care 09:04.859 --> 09:07.739 of three Corps soldiers . We welcome 09:07.750 --> 09:10.080 Brigadier General Hannon , a proven 09:10.090 --> 09:12.599 leader to Northwestern Division and ask 09:12.609 --> 09:14.665 that you bless him with the strength 09:14.665 --> 09:16.720 and necessary skills . He'll need to 09:16.720 --> 09:18.942 lead the division . And we also welcome 09:18.942 --> 09:20.831 his family , his wife , Sally and 09:20.831 --> 09:23.053 Children , Caroline , Billy and Elliott 09:23.053 --> 09:24.998 and ask that they too give him the 09:24.998 --> 09:27.109 strength and the comfort to lead this 09:27.109 --> 09:29.109 great division . We pray that their 09:29.109 --> 09:31.109 time in the Great Northwest will be 09:31.109 --> 09:33.220 rewarding and enjoyable for the whole 09:33.220 --> 09:35.609 family . Last almighty father , we ask 09:35.619 --> 09:37.841 that you bless the men and women of the 09:37.841 --> 09:40.063 Northwestern Division who carry out the 09:40.063 --> 09:42.175 awesome responsibilities for managing 09:42.175 --> 09:44.008 the water resources and military 09:44.008 --> 09:46.008 programs in this most beautiful and 09:46.008 --> 09:49.080 important part of our country . We pray 09:49.090 --> 09:51.090 that you have been pleased with the 09:51.090 --> 09:53.146 efforts of General Van EPPS and will 09:53.146 --> 09:55.312 enable General Hannon to be successful 09:55.312 --> 09:57.368 in his work . And in conclusion , we 09:57.368 --> 10:00.109 ask , and we exclaim God bless America . 10:08.950 --> 10:11.061 Thank you , Colonel Van EPPS . Ladies 10:11.061 --> 10:13.006 and gentlemen , please be seated . 10:20.750 --> 10:23.690 The colors that are posted , symbolize 10:23.700 --> 10:26.169 the very soul of our nation , the 10:26.179 --> 10:28.630 United States Army and the Northwestern 10:28.640 --> 10:31.770 Division . They record the glories of 10:31.780 --> 10:35.210 the past stand as guardian over the 10:35.219 --> 10:38.570 present and inspiring soldiers and 10:38.580 --> 10:42.090 civilians , the loyalty , duty and 10:42.099 --> 10:44.299 courage to achieve victory in the 10:44.309 --> 10:48.179 future . In the past color served 10:48.190 --> 10:50.412 as a rallying point for soldiers during 10:50.412 --> 10:54.169 battle . The change of command is a 10:54.179 --> 10:57.210 simple traditional event that is rich 10:57.219 --> 11:00.969 with symbolism and heritage . Key to 11:00.979 --> 11:03.460 the ceremony is the passing of the 11:03.469 --> 11:07.109 organizational colors . These colors 11:07.119 --> 11:09.840 represent not only the lineage and 11:09.849 --> 11:12.820 honors of the unit , but also the 11:12.830 --> 11:15.690 loyalty and unity of its members . 11:17.000 --> 11:19.419 The colors are the commander symbol of 11:19.429 --> 11:21.969 authority representing their 11:21.979 --> 11:24.289 responsibilities to the organization 11:25.359 --> 11:28.219 wherever the commander is , there also 11:28.229 --> 11:31.700 are the colors throughout history . 11:31.929 --> 11:34.450 Commanders ensured their unit . Flags 11:34.460 --> 11:36.349 were carried by one of their most 11:36.349 --> 11:39.919 trusted officers today . 11:40.049 --> 11:43.599 Mr Eric Hansen Northwestern Division's 11:43.609 --> 11:46.169 Director of Regional Business will 11:46.179 --> 11:48.080 fulfill this honored role . 12:05.210 --> 12:08.280 The passing of the colors symbolizes 12:08.289 --> 12:10.450 the transfer of authority from the 12:10.460 --> 12:12.679 outgoing commander to the incoming 12:12.690 --> 12:15.820 commander out of reverence toward their 12:15.830 --> 12:19.169 colors . Commanders hold the colors 12:19.179 --> 12:23.080 over their hearts as they are the 12:23.090 --> 12:25.630 passing of the colors . Demonstrates to 12:25.640 --> 12:27.760 the soldiers and civilians of the 12:27.770 --> 12:30.840 organization , the commander has passed 12:30.849 --> 12:32.849 the mantle of leadership to the new 12:32.849 --> 12:36.440 commander . And with this also passes 12:36.450 --> 12:38.640 the loyalty of the workforce 12:41.479 --> 12:45.390 attention to orders by the authority 12:45.400 --> 12:48.989 of army regulation 600-20 12:49.320 --> 12:53.070 paragraph 2-5 . The undersigned 12:53.130 --> 12:55.500 assumes command of the Northwestern 12:55.510 --> 12:58.919 Division , US Army Corps of Engineers 12:59.229 --> 13:01.549 effective 28 June 13:01.630 --> 13:05.539 2024 signed 13:05.760 --> 13:08.859 William C Hannon Junior , Brigadier 13:08.869 --> 13:11.669 General US Army commanding , 13:14.140 --> 13:17.349 Mr Hansen will now present the division 13:17.359 --> 13:19.750 colors to the departing commander , 13:19.799 --> 13:22.469 Brigadier General Van EPPS for the last 13:22.479 --> 13:22.909 time , 13:27.559 --> 13:29.710 Brigadier General Van EPPS will then 13:29.719 --> 13:32.250 pass the colors to Major General Graham , 13:32.809 --> 13:34.909 thereby relinquishing his 13:34.919 --> 13:37.109 responsibility and authority . 13:43.880 --> 13:46.849 Major General Graham will in turn pass 13:46.859 --> 13:48.809 the colors to the new division 13:48.820 --> 13:51.349 commander , Brigadier General Hannon 13:52.229 --> 13:54.119 charging him with the same 13:54.130 --> 13:56.440 responsibility and authority . 13:59.780 --> 14:02.650 Mr Hansen will then accept the colors 14:02.659 --> 14:04.326 from Brigadier General Hannon 14:04.780 --> 14:06.989 solidifying the bond between the 14:07.000 --> 14:09.309 corps's military leadership and its 14:09.320 --> 14:10.159 workforce . 14:27.270 --> 14:29.326 Ladies and gentlemen , Major General 14:29.326 --> 14:31.548 William Butch Graham , the deputy chief 14:31.548 --> 14:33.492 of engineers and deputy commanding 14:33.492 --> 14:36.000 general US Army Corps of Engineers . 14:40.940 --> 14:41.320 Ok , 14:50.830 --> 14:54.469 good morning . So I was 14:54.479 --> 14:56.701 thinking when we , we do this change of 14:56.701 --> 14:58.812 commands , somebody puts an awful lot 14:58.812 --> 15:01.090 of work together to make the place look 15:01.099 --> 15:04.099 good and usually it's a conference room 15:05.010 --> 15:07.232 and I'm just like how hard it must have 15:07.232 --> 15:09.510 been for the team here to make sure 15:09.690 --> 15:11.989 that Intrepid Bonnyville looks as great 15:12.000 --> 15:15.260 as it did . So I know there's probably 15:15.270 --> 15:17.381 a whole bunch of them listening . But 15:17.381 --> 15:19.770 for all the folks who did all the work 15:19.789 --> 15:23.159 to make this amazing facility look even 15:23.169 --> 15:25.225 more amazing , big round of applause 15:25.225 --> 15:26.225 for that team . 15:31.960 --> 15:32.460 Ok . 15:38.210 --> 15:42.070 What a spectacular morning it was , 15:43.380 --> 15:46.400 had the good great fortune to preside 15:46.409 --> 15:48.576 over the transatlantic division change 15:48.576 --> 15:50.409 of command last week . And I was 15:50.409 --> 15:53.080 telling Bill's kids to say , hey , the 15:53.090 --> 15:55.169 Northwest is an awesome place , 15:55.179 --> 15:57.346 particularly in the summertime because 15:57.346 --> 15:59.512 you get bluebird weather the mountains 15:59.512 --> 16:01.790 are out and it's just spectacular . So , 16:02.010 --> 16:04.010 Jeff , I'm not sure how you arrange 16:04.010 --> 16:06.066 this amazing weather but well done , 16:06.066 --> 16:06.049 well done . 16:14.700 --> 16:16.922 Before we start talking about the , the 16:16.922 --> 16:19.559 generals like to first start talking 16:19.570 --> 16:20.737 about the division . 16:23.419 --> 16:25.729 Spellman would absolutely love to be 16:25.739 --> 16:27.795 here to be the one talking about the 16:27.795 --> 16:30.017 division because this place is near and 16:30.017 --> 16:31.795 dear to his heart as a previous 16:31.795 --> 16:33.850 division commander . But we all have 16:33.850 --> 16:35.961 bosses , even three star generals and 16:35.961 --> 16:38.239 his boss called him on Monday and said , 16:38.239 --> 16:40.729 I'd like to see you on Friday . So then 16:40.739 --> 16:42.850 I got a call that said , whatever you 16:42.850 --> 16:44.850 were doing on Friday , you're doing 16:44.850 --> 16:46.739 something different . But it's my 16:46.739 --> 16:48.795 absolute honor to be here today with 16:48.795 --> 16:50.961 the mighty Northwestern division . The 16:50.961 --> 16:53.150 Northwestern division or NWD for short 16:53.159 --> 16:57.159 has a budget of almost $3.5 billion and 16:57.169 --> 17:00.929 a workforce of 5600 absolute 17:00.940 --> 17:03.500 world class professionals . NWD is 17:03.510 --> 17:05.849 spread across 14 states covers 2000 17:05.859 --> 17:09.630 miles and supports 109 sovereign 17:09.640 --> 17:11.696 tribal nations within its geographic 17:11.696 --> 17:14.170 area of support and to some of the 17:14.180 --> 17:16.291 representatives . Thank you very much 17:16.291 --> 17:18.180 for being here today . Two of the 17:18.180 --> 17:20.513 country's longest rivers . The Missouri . 17:21.660 --> 17:23.771 Come on , Rob . What was the , was it 17:23.771 --> 17:27.599 the Missouri ? All right . That was , 17:27.609 --> 17:29.665 that was kind of weak and the mighty 17:29.665 --> 17:33.160 Columbia . Ah It's a partisan crowd 17:34.599 --> 17:37.270 within its boundaries . The division's 17:37.280 --> 17:39.002 mission encompasses flood risk 17:39.002 --> 17:41.169 management , navigation , hydropower , 17:41.169 --> 17:43.280 aquatic ecosystem restoration , water 17:43.280 --> 17:45.613 supply , recreation , disaster response . 17:45.613 --> 17:47.780 That could keep going , but we'll stop 17:47.780 --> 17:50.290 there . And WD also manages almost 2 17:50.300 --> 17:52.670 million , 2 million acres of military 17:52.680 --> 17:55.609 real estate across 34 dod installations . 17:56.229 --> 17:58.173 As we've learned , Jeff , as we've 17:58.173 --> 18:00.340 learned , bro , it all begins and ends 18:00.340 --> 18:00.209 with real estate . 18:05.339 --> 18:07.439 So do the NWD team . That's here . 18:08.410 --> 18:10.410 We're going to have a little bit of 18:10.900 --> 18:13.839 participation . So for the NWD team 18:13.849 --> 18:16.089 that if you've served 10 years or 18:16.099 --> 18:17.229 longer stand up , 18:21.109 --> 18:23.109 ok . All right . We got some late , 18:23.109 --> 18:24.998 late folks out there . Don't keep 18:24.998 --> 18:27.560 standing . Keep standing . It keeps 18:27.569 --> 18:30.319 standing 10 years along . Ok ? If you 18:30.329 --> 18:32.709 are 20 years or longer , keep standing , 18:35.719 --> 18:38.010 that's a pretty sizable crowd . 30 18:38.020 --> 18:39.909 years or longer , keep standing . 18:42.469 --> 18:45.000 That's amazing . Anybody over 40 years . 18:46.050 --> 18:49.939 Ok . Here we go . Big round of applause 18:49.949 --> 18:50.949 for them . All . 18:55.359 --> 18:58.489 All right . If people don't stay 3040 18:58.500 --> 19:00.810 years in an organization that they 19:00.819 --> 19:02.986 don't love and that doesn't treat them 19:02.986 --> 19:04.986 well . So if you're blessed in this 19:04.986 --> 19:06.763 world , you get to work hard at 19:06.763 --> 19:08.819 rewarding work . And it's clear that 19:08.819 --> 19:10.875 the amazing members of the Northwest 19:10.875 --> 19:13.520 Division do that day in and day out or 19:13.530 --> 19:15.641 all those people standing up wouldn't 19:15.641 --> 19:17.641 be here . So , our thanks , General 19:17.641 --> 19:19.863 Spellman's thanks the nation . Thanks . 19:19.863 --> 19:21.919 Go out to you all and all the people 19:21.919 --> 19:25.859 you represent . So I first met 19:26.319 --> 19:29.319 General Van EPPS in Kabul Afghanistan 19:29.829 --> 19:32.880 in the summer of , I think it was 2017 . 19:34.050 --> 19:36.217 He was serving as a staff engineer for 19:36.217 --> 19:38.530 the NATO Forces in Afghanistan . And I 19:38.540 --> 19:40.540 was dumb enough . I was in New York 19:40.540 --> 19:42.707 City at the time and I was dumb enough 19:42.707 --> 19:44.929 to answer the phone on a Sunday from my 19:44.929 --> 19:46.873 boss . Never answer the phone on a 19:46.873 --> 19:48.984 Sunday from your boss because there's 19:48.984 --> 19:51.096 nothing good at the end of that phone 19:51.096 --> 19:53.262 call . And my boss at that time said , 19:53.262 --> 19:55.318 hey , we've got some challenges with 19:55.318 --> 19:57.484 force protection in Afghanistan and we 19:57.484 --> 19:59.262 need somebody to go . And I was 19:59.262 --> 20:01.429 thinking , ok , you know , four months 20:01.429 --> 20:03.540 from now a year from now , I need you 20:03.540 --> 20:06.849 there by Friday . So that Friday , I 20:06.859 --> 20:10.060 was in Afghanistan and I had the great 20:10.069 --> 20:13.829 good fortune to run across Jeff Van 20:13.839 --> 20:16.969 EPPS learning how to successfully 20:16.979 --> 20:19.079 deliver projects within a framework 20:19.089 --> 20:21.400 that all 30 I think it was 30 nations 20:21.410 --> 20:23.650 back in those days . Now , it's 32 NATO 20:23.660 --> 20:26.569 member states agree to is no small task , 20:27.020 --> 20:29.242 getting two groups to agree to anything 20:29.242 --> 20:31.353 is no small task to get 30 of them to 20:31.353 --> 20:33.464 agree to something is really , really 20:33.464 --> 20:35.687 hard . Jeff with his trademark blend of 20:35.687 --> 20:38.020 intellect , engagement and perseverance . 20:38.369 --> 20:40.500 He made it look easy . I was 20:40.510 --> 20:43.260 consistently and amazed at what he was 20:43.270 --> 20:47.219 able to accomplish . Jeff took command 20:47.229 --> 20:49.451 here in the Northwest Division , as you 20:49.451 --> 20:51.729 heard in July of 2021 . And since then , 20:51.729 --> 20:53.785 Jeff and his far flung division have 20:53.785 --> 20:55.951 been very busy . Let me give you a few 20:55.951 --> 20:58.062 examples . The NW team is responsible 20:58.062 --> 21:00.229 for improvements to many key ports and 21:00.229 --> 21:02.340 Waterways in the Pacific Northwest in 21:02.340 --> 21:04.562 December , NWD signed design agreements 21:04.562 --> 21:06.920 for the Seattle Navigation Improvement 21:06.930 --> 21:09.280 project and the Tacoma Harbor 21:09.290 --> 21:11.512 Navigation improvement projects . These 21:11.512 --> 21:13.568 projects are part of a comprehensive 21:13.568 --> 21:15.401 modernization initiative for the 21:15.401 --> 21:17.512 Northwest Seaport Alliance that began 21:17.512 --> 21:20.150 nearly a decade ago . The execution of 21:20.160 --> 21:22.049 these design agreements marked an 21:22.049 --> 21:24.049 absolute critical milestone for the 21:24.049 --> 21:26.239 region allowing it to remain globally 21:26.250 --> 21:28.472 competitive and we see the trains go in 21:28.472 --> 21:30.528 bas here with all those containers , 21:30.528 --> 21:32.839 those are heading to those ports . Jeff 21:32.849 --> 21:34.905 was also the lead you face interface 21:34.905 --> 21:38.119 with us . Northern Command . Brian , 21:38.130 --> 21:40.352 we're glad to have you here today . Our 21:40.352 --> 21:44.089 LNO to north com . Jeff's team 21:44.099 --> 21:45.988 provided contingency planning and 21:45.988 --> 21:48.155 exercise support to integrate engineer 21:48.155 --> 21:50.266 capabilities in our nation's homeland 21:50.266 --> 21:52.321 defense plans plans that we hope are 21:52.321 --> 21:54.432 never used , but we want to make sure 21:54.432 --> 21:56.729 that we're ready for switching gears a 21:56.739 --> 21:58.961 bit within NW D's jurisdiction are also 21:58.961 --> 22:01.619 80 water storage and flood risk 22:01.630 --> 22:03.852 management reservoir projects and those 22:03.852 --> 22:05.920 plants are 29 hydropower plants like 22:05.930 --> 22:08.890 the one behind us that helps support 22:09.420 --> 22:11.949 over 1000 miles of navigable channels . 22:11.959 --> 22:13.959 Jeff was charged with management of 22:13.959 --> 22:16.015 these hydroelectric facilities which 22:16.015 --> 22:18.489 produce 75% of the US Army Corps of 22:18.500 --> 22:22.140 Engineers hydro power production . Jeff 22:22.150 --> 22:24.206 and his team also ensured year round 22:24.206 --> 22:26.800 navigation through those over 1200 22:26.810 --> 22:28.930 miles of inland waterways and those 22:28.939 --> 22:31.680 waterways carried an astounding 35 22:31.689 --> 22:34.510 billion , 35 billion in commerce in the 22:34.520 --> 22:36.829 Pacific Northwest and the Midwestern 22:36.839 --> 22:40.310 States along with Jeff duties to 22:40.319 --> 22:42.650 provide reliable navigation and stable 22:42.660 --> 22:44.882 hydropower . He was instrumental in the 22:44.882 --> 22:47.104 continued negotiations on the future of 22:47.104 --> 22:49.560 water management in the Columbia River 22:50.790 --> 22:52.901 as a US entity member to the Columbia 22:52.901 --> 22:55.012 River treaty with Canada . Jeff was a 22:55.012 --> 22:57.234 principal participant in support of the 22:57.234 --> 22:59.457 State department's ongoing negotiations 22:59.457 --> 23:01.401 to manage flood risks and regulate 23:01.401 --> 23:03.568 water flow between Canada and the US . 23:03.568 --> 23:05.401 The importance of which can't be 23:05.401 --> 23:07.512 overstated to the folks that live out 23:07.512 --> 23:10.469 here capitalizing on his expertise in 23:10.479 --> 23:13.140 water management . Jeff was active with 23:13.150 --> 23:15.372 the Mississippi River Commission during 23:15.372 --> 23:17.550 his three years in the division . Jeff 23:17.560 --> 23:20.030 conducted several inspections on the 23:20.040 --> 23:22.151 Mississippi River and its tributaries 23:22.151 --> 23:24.096 which include the Missouri River , 23:24.096 --> 23:26.318 holding public hearings across multiple 23:26.318 --> 23:28.262 states to understand firsthand the 23:28.262 --> 23:30.429 public's concerns and how the Corps of 23:30.429 --> 23:32.262 engineers is managing that basin 23:34.719 --> 23:37.160 full , embracing input from 109 Native 23:37.170 --> 23:39.337 American tribes in the division's area 23:39.337 --> 23:41.420 of responsibility . Jeff was closely 23:41.430 --> 23:43.486 involved in the Missouri River Basin 23:43.486 --> 23:46.280 inter agency roundtable , a 70 member 23:46.290 --> 23:48.346 federal state Tribal and stakeholder 23:48.346 --> 23:50.512 Chartered Institution . He was equally 23:50.512 --> 23:52.346 involved with the Missouri River 23:52.346 --> 23:54.457 Recovery Implementation Committee , a 23:54.457 --> 23:56.457 federal interagency organization to 23:56.459 --> 23:59.599 improve ecosystem management and Erica , 23:59.609 --> 24:01.498 you can kind of understand why he 24:01.498 --> 24:04.959 hasn't been home all that much . Jeff 24:04.969 --> 24:07.489 proactively engaged with all partners 24:07.500 --> 24:09.722 to streamline communications on complex 24:09.722 --> 24:11.944 issues such as tribal access to ancient 24:11.944 --> 24:14.167 and accustomed fishing rights locations 24:14.339 --> 24:16.930 and dam operation changes to improve 24:17.270 --> 24:19.270 the viability of endangered species 24:19.270 --> 24:21.729 like salmon under his leadership , the 24:21.739 --> 24:23.989 NWD team also partnered with multiple 24:24.000 --> 24:26.989 federal agencies to manage a nearly 800 24:27.000 --> 24:28.889 million environmental restoration 24:28.889 --> 24:31.310 program . A program that grew to twice 24:31.319 --> 24:34.849 the size of when Jeff took command . He 24:34.859 --> 24:37.520 also managed an exponential increase in 24:37.530 --> 24:39.752 the work for the Department of Veterans 24:39.752 --> 24:42.680 Affairs , executing more than $700 24:42.689 --> 24:44.856 million worth of major renovations and 24:44.856 --> 24:46.745 new construction for va hospitals 24:46.745 --> 24:48.856 across multiple midwestern states and 24:48.856 --> 24:50.010 Northwest states . 24:52.060 --> 24:54.939 Finally to deliver this huge program , 24:54.949 --> 24:57.630 Jeff invested in ambitious hiring 24:57.640 --> 24:59.418 initiatives and formal training 24:59.418 --> 25:01.390 programs . He sought innovative 25:01.400 --> 25:03.344 strategies to attract talent in an 25:03.344 --> 25:05.456 increasingly competitive job market , 25:05.456 --> 25:07.289 pushing the limits . Jeff's been 25:07.289 --> 25:09.344 pushing the limits of recruiting and 25:09.344 --> 25:11.511 retention incentives and other quality 25:11.511 --> 25:13.622 of life initiatives to make sure that 25:13.622 --> 25:16.699 NW D can hire and retain the best 25:16.709 --> 25:18.719 employees to execute the division's 25:18.729 --> 25:21.810 critical missions as a result of all 25:21.819 --> 25:24.949 that effort . And W DS 2023 federal 25:24.959 --> 25:27.015 employer viewpoint survey , which is 25:27.015 --> 25:30.329 where we uh so the the work , the 25:30.339 --> 25:32.450 workforce to see how we're doing that 25:32.450 --> 25:35.510 resulted in the division and all of its 25:35.520 --> 25:38.060 districts being ranked as the best 25:38.069 --> 25:40.347 place to work , an amazing achievement , 25:40.347 --> 25:42.347 which certainly deserves a round of 25:42.347 --> 25:42.260 applause from everybody 25:48.689 --> 25:50.522 as we know , no one accomplishes 25:50.522 --> 25:52.689 anything in this world alone . There's 25:52.689 --> 25:54.689 always essential people who help us 25:54.689 --> 25:56.856 along that journey . So I want to take 25:56.856 --> 25:58.911 sort of recognize a special group of 25:58.911 --> 26:00.633 people that have helped Jeff , 26:00.633 --> 26:03.420 particularly his wife , Erica . Jeff 26:03.430 --> 26:05.739 has been married to Erica for 21 years . 26:06.959 --> 26:09.015 She's an elementary school teacher . 26:09.015 --> 26:11.181 And according to Jeff , she's also the 26:11.181 --> 26:14.979 love of his life . So I got to ask Jeff 26:16.199 --> 26:20.079 your first date . Uh , oh , 26:22.930 --> 26:26.079 let me preface this a little bit . 26:26.569 --> 26:29.459 You'll find out here in a minute . Ok , 26:30.510 --> 26:32.566 because you can't get any worse than 26:32.566 --> 26:35.699 Bill . So , let me just . So , when was 26:35.709 --> 26:38.579 your first date ? So I was a senior in 26:38.589 --> 26:40.589 high school . I took her to see the 26:40.589 --> 26:42.478 movie home alone in the theater . 26:47.069 --> 26:49.369 Why I asked that question is we did the 26:49.380 --> 26:51.213 transatlantic division change of 26:51.213 --> 26:53.380 Command yesterday and we kind of asked 26:53.380 --> 26:55.491 Bill , hey , what was your first date 26:55.491 --> 26:57.880 for Sally ? He said , Applebee's 26:59.430 --> 27:02.829 now some of you are laughing , but 27:03.560 --> 27:06.060 I got to follow with , where in the 27:06.069 --> 27:07.810 country did you take Sally to 27:07.819 --> 27:09.763 Applebee's ? And he said , well in 27:09.763 --> 27:12.650 Missouri , near Fort Leonard Wood and 27:12.660 --> 27:15.109 for all of us who have been there back 27:15.119 --> 27:18.709 in some odd years ago , Applebee's was 27:18.719 --> 27:20.719 probably at the very top . That was 27:20.719 --> 27:22.939 probably kind of high end as it gets 27:28.219 --> 27:31.760 home loan . Good deal . 27:32.609 --> 27:34.609 The Van EPPS have three teenagers , 27:34.609 --> 27:36.831 twins , Jackson and Ryan , who are here 27:36.831 --> 27:39.640 with us today . All right . So can I 27:39.650 --> 27:42.359 quiz you too ? Who's older , 27:43.619 --> 27:46.030 uh , who's taller 27:49.560 --> 27:51.782 for a big one because you just finished 27:51.782 --> 27:54.004 your freshman year in college , right ? 27:54.004 --> 27:56.227 Sophomore year in college . Who has the 27:56.227 --> 27:59.270 better GPA ? All right . Yeah . 28:00.790 --> 28:02.679 And we've also got their daughter 28:02.679 --> 28:04.512 Addison who's a rising senior in 28:04.512 --> 28:06.346 college next year . So big round 28:06.346 --> 28:08.012 replies for Van EPPS family . 28:11.430 --> 28:13.770 So I got to call out Jeff's parents in 28:13.780 --> 28:16.770 addition to that amazing image that you 28:16.780 --> 28:19.290 gave uh Jeff's would call me up every 28:19.300 --> 28:21.522 once in a while saying , hey , I got to 28:21.522 --> 28:23.578 go and leave and I'm thinking , OK , 28:23.578 --> 28:25.578 you might go up to Seattle or maybe 28:25.578 --> 28:27.800 going down to L A . No , no , no , no . 28:27.800 --> 28:30.699 Jeff's going on a safari in South 28:30.709 --> 28:33.000 Africa or he's going on two weeks in 28:33.010 --> 28:36.699 Turkey on these amazing vacations . And 28:36.709 --> 28:39.209 I said , Jeff , man , they must pay one 28:39.219 --> 28:41.359 star a lot more than they certainly 28:41.369 --> 28:43.425 paid me . And he said , oh , I spend 28:43.425 --> 28:45.430 some time with my parents and we're 28:45.439 --> 28:47.661 going on all these amazing adventures . 28:47.729 --> 28:49.785 And so I've been asking Jeff for two 28:49.785 --> 28:52.209 years to kind of maybe be adopted if 28:52.219 --> 28:55.760 possible before the next trip . But to 28:55.770 --> 28:58.250 the entire R ES family , we want to 28:58.550 --> 28:59.709 thank you all 29:02.780 --> 29:04.891 for the amazing support that you gave 29:04.891 --> 29:07.002 Jeff . He could not have done what he 29:07.002 --> 29:09.169 was able to do out here . He could not 29:09.169 --> 29:11.169 have poured his heart and soul into 29:11.169 --> 29:13.280 this organization without the support 29:13.280 --> 29:12.709 from all of you so big round of 29:12.719 --> 29:14.441 applause for the EPPS family . 29:20.079 --> 29:21.912 Jeff , you've done an absolutely 29:21.912 --> 29:24.135 outstanding job of your time here . You 29:24.135 --> 29:25.912 have indeed safely delivered an 29:25.912 --> 29:28.135 impressive array of quality projects on 29:28.135 --> 29:30.246 schedule within budget you're turning 29:30.246 --> 29:32.589 over to bring it to and in a division 29:32.599 --> 29:34.839 that's better than you found it . And 29:34.849 --> 29:36.905 then leadership business , that's as 29:36.905 --> 29:40.859 good as it gets well done . We wish 29:40.869 --> 29:43.091 you well as you transition to your next 29:43.091 --> 29:45.091 assignment as the deputy commanding 29:45.091 --> 29:47.313 general for three corps at Fort Cavazos 29:47.313 --> 29:49.536 in the army . The Phantom Corp is lucky 29:49.536 --> 29:52.900 to have you . So the Wolf riding part 29:52.910 --> 29:55.560 of the army has four cores . That's it . 29:56.550 --> 29:59.859 Four cores . There's one corps that's 29:59.869 --> 30:02.147 focused on Europe , that's fifth Corps . 30:02.147 --> 30:04.369 There's one corps that's focused on the 30:04.369 --> 30:06.425 Pacific . That's first corps up at J 30:06.425 --> 30:08.829 BLM . There's a light Corp and 18th 30:08.839 --> 30:11.061 Airborne Corps that can get anywhere in 30:11.061 --> 30:14.270 the world really fast . And then 30:14.280 --> 30:16.290 there's the hammer , the heavy core 30:16.300 --> 30:18.489 three core down at Fort Hood . And if 30:18.500 --> 30:20.560 you think of the army , you think of 30:20.569 --> 30:24.069 tanks and lots of soldiers doing hard 30:24.079 --> 30:26.540 things . That's three core and that's 30:26.550 --> 30:28.717 where Jeff's going . Jeff , you're the 30:28.717 --> 30:30.383 right leader , take that huge 30:30.383 --> 30:32.494 responsibility . And we're excited to 30:32.494 --> 30:34.439 see we're going to take the mighty 30:34.439 --> 30:34.109 Phantom team . 30:41.609 --> 30:43.776 So the Northwest Division is fortunate 30:43.776 --> 30:45.609 that as one great leader departs 30:45.609 --> 30:47.498 another great leader arrives even 30:47.498 --> 30:50.699 better . General , Bill Hannon is 30:50.709 --> 30:53.219 certainly no stranger to the Northwest 30:53.229 --> 30:55.599 Division , but it hasn't been gone all 30:55.609 --> 30:59.050 that long as he commanded the Kansas 30:59.060 --> 31:01.630 City District from 2019 to 2021 . 31:03.349 --> 31:05.369 I think I first met Bill in a small 31:05.380 --> 31:07.760 boat , a small skiff bouncing in the 31:07.770 --> 31:09.937 middle of the Missouri River . Back in 31:09.937 --> 31:11.937 the fall of 2000 , he showed me the 31:11.937 --> 31:14.159 ongoing work to repair the levees and I 31:14.159 --> 31:15.992 got to get this right . The bank 31:15.992 --> 31:18.159 stabilization and navigation program , 31:18.159 --> 31:20.810 did I get that right close ? That it 31:20.819 --> 31:23.270 was better than the deploy piece that 31:23.410 --> 31:24.469 Rob gave ? Ok . 31:26.849 --> 31:28.960 Following the historic destruction in 31:28.960 --> 31:31.579 the 2019 floods , sitting in that small 31:31.589 --> 31:33.645 boat in the middle of that big river 31:33.645 --> 31:35.756 quickly became apparent that Bill was 31:35.756 --> 31:37.869 an exceptional leader . He understood 31:37.880 --> 31:40.102 deeply the significant impact that that 31:40.102 --> 31:42.520 flood had on the local communities . He 31:42.530 --> 31:44.641 had a thorough grasp of the magnitude 31:44.641 --> 31:46.863 of the recovery tasks that the district 31:46.863 --> 31:48.974 faced . And he had a well thought out 31:48.974 --> 31:51.489 plan to deliver on those recovery tasks 31:51.699 --> 31:55.569 with a palpable sense of urgency over 31:55.579 --> 31:57.579 time . As I got to know Bill in the 31:57.579 --> 32:01.160 Kansas city district , it became clear 32:01.260 --> 32:03.482 that this commitment to delivering this 32:03.482 --> 32:05.427 commitment to excellence went well 32:05.427 --> 32:07.593 beyond the flood recovery mission . It 32:07.593 --> 32:09.371 permeated throughout the entire 32:09.371 --> 32:11.800 district . That's great leadership and 32:11.810 --> 32:15.520 action most recently from August of 32:15.530 --> 32:17.500 22 until just last week , Bill 32:17.510 --> 32:19.621 commanded the Trans Atlantic division 32:19.621 --> 32:21.677 in Winchester , Virginia . The Trans 32:21.677 --> 32:23.566 Atlantic division punches way way 32:23.566 --> 32:25.732 beyond its weight class , delivering a 32:25.732 --> 32:28.010 huge $6.5 billion program in 21 32:28.020 --> 32:30.800 countries across the US Central 32:30.810 --> 32:33.709 Command's area of responsibility . I 32:33.760 --> 32:36.369 think Bill has platinum status on just 32:36.380 --> 32:40.380 about every airline in the country as 32:40.390 --> 32:44.040 he spent a great deal of time in 32:44.050 --> 32:46.829 airplanes and airports and airplanes 32:47.089 --> 32:49.910 getting to a distant theater because I 32:49.920 --> 32:51.869 knew how important it was to get a 32:51.969 --> 32:54.136 boots on the ground , understanding of 32:54.136 --> 32:56.989 project delivery . This is what you'd 32:57.000 --> 32:59.589 expect from a leader of Bill's Caliper . 33:02.939 --> 33:05.270 Now . The , he might not have to spend 33:05.280 --> 33:07.113 as much time in airports because 33:07.113 --> 33:09.280 there's a , there's an airplane around 33:09.280 --> 33:08.920 here somewhere , isn't there , Jeff ? 33:09.630 --> 33:12.979 Ok . Still smiling now . Yeah . 33:16.160 --> 33:18.890 Like Jeff built into all of this on his 33:18.900 --> 33:20.956 own . Either he had a deep help from 33:20.956 --> 33:23.122 many , many groups , but none was more 33:23.122 --> 33:25.178 instrumental to his success than his 33:25.178 --> 33:27.178 family as a West Point graduate and 33:27.178 --> 33:29.233 active duty soldier herself . Bill's 33:29.233 --> 33:31.400 wife , Colonel Sally Hannon is used to 33:31.400 --> 33:33.289 these military moves and multiple 33:33.289 --> 33:35.344 deployments . She currently works as 33:35.344 --> 33:37.511 the senior army adviser for the Office 33:37.511 --> 33:39.733 of Local Defense Community Cooper . And 33:39.733 --> 33:41.844 if you don't know what that is in the 33:41.844 --> 33:43.956 receiving line , you can hit her up . 33:44.979 --> 33:47.035 Bill and Sally have three Children . 33:47.589 --> 33:49.756 They've got a daughter , Carolyn who's 33:49.756 --> 33:51.978 a rising senior in high school . Yeah . 33:51.978 --> 33:53.867 So Carolyn is starting a new high 33:53.867 --> 33:56.160 school . Her son , Billy is in the 33:56.170 --> 33:58.281 eighth grade and then her daughter to 33:58.281 --> 34:02.050 Ellie Rose is 1/9 grader . Welcome to 34:02.060 --> 34:03.949 all of you to the amazing Pacific 34:03.949 --> 34:06.020 Northwest . Big round of applause , 34:06.030 --> 34:08.360 please . For the Cannon family . 34:08.370 --> 34:09.000 Welcome 34:12.520 --> 34:14.631 with your district experience command 34:14.631 --> 34:16.576 in Kansas City and your division , 34:16.576 --> 34:18.798 experience commanding the transatlantic 34:18.798 --> 34:21.020 division . You are absolutely the right 34:21.020 --> 34:20.850 leader at the right time to command 34:20.860 --> 34:22.804 this incredibly busy and important 34:22.804 --> 34:25.620 organization . So to wrap this up the 34:25.629 --> 34:27.796 colors are passed and once again under 34:27.796 --> 34:29.962 the careful stewardship of Mister Eric 34:29.962 --> 34:33.309 Hansen , the Northwest Division stands 34:33.319 --> 34:35.263 ready to continue its phenomenal . 34:35.263 --> 34:37.208 Absolutely phenomenal . History of 34:37.208 --> 34:39.375 service to the nation in this region , 34:39.375 --> 34:41.541 a arms building strong be all that you 34:41.541 --> 34:41.148 can be . 34:53.529 --> 34:55.529 Ladies and gentlemen , the outgoing 34:55.529 --> 34:57.698 commander , Brigadier General Jeff . 35:14.629 --> 35:16.685 Hey , ladies and gentlemen , friends 35:16.685 --> 35:18.939 and family . Good morning . And thank 35:18.949 --> 35:21.116 you General Graham . That's as good of 35:21.116 --> 35:23.227 a place to start these remarks as any 35:23.227 --> 35:25.282 General Graham . Thank you for those 35:25.282 --> 35:27.550 gracious words for the mentorship and 35:27.560 --> 35:29.727 the leadership you've afforded me over 35:29.727 --> 35:31.782 the past 1072 days that I've been in 35:31.782 --> 35:34.110 this job . And yes , I've been counting 35:34.439 --> 35:36.780 because every day in NWD is a privilege , 35:36.830 --> 35:38.510 a chance to uphold the sacred 35:38.520 --> 35:41.179 responsibility of commanding a division . 35:41.189 --> 35:44.699 Now , 5900 strong , a few soldiers 35:45.159 --> 35:46.881 but mostly incredibly talented 35:46.881 --> 35:48.770 civilians who work to support the 35:48.770 --> 35:50.770 hundreds of communities here in the 35:50.770 --> 35:52.659 region to strengthen the national 35:52.659 --> 35:54.826 defense and to solve our nation's most 35:54.826 --> 35:57.070 difficult technical challenges . When I 35:57.080 --> 35:59.247 took command three short years ago , I 35:59.247 --> 36:01.302 mentioned briefly that I'm a degreed 36:01.302 --> 36:03.247 and licensed engineer and that I'd 36:03.247 --> 36:05.247 waited my entire career 26 years at 36:05.247 --> 36:07.524 that point to have a chance to join us , 36:07.524 --> 36:09.469 a , an army engineer equivalent of 36:09.469 --> 36:11.636 getting a call up to the big leagues . 36:11.929 --> 36:13.985 And I tell you , it's been worth the 36:13.985 --> 36:16.979 wait , my three seasons playing with 36:16.989 --> 36:19.100 the Varsity here have been incredibly 36:19.100 --> 36:21.270 rewarding and while there's no way to 36:21.280 --> 36:22.669 do justice to the team's 36:22.669 --> 36:24.891 accomplishments in the few minutes that 36:24.891 --> 36:27.002 I have allotted for these remarks . I 36:27.002 --> 36:29.169 do want to spend my time talking about 36:29.169 --> 36:31.280 my teammates , the everyday all stars 36:31.280 --> 36:33.336 of Northwestern Division who make up 36:33.336 --> 36:35.502 this team and with whom I have had the 36:35.502 --> 36:37.724 privilege to serve here . This ceremony 36:37.724 --> 36:39.724 is a great example . General Graham 36:39.724 --> 36:41.891 already hit on it . Think for a moment 36:41.891 --> 36:41.550 of the combined effort required to pull 36:41.560 --> 36:43.616 together a change of command as well 36:43.616 --> 36:45.504 executed as this one . You've got 36:45.504 --> 36:47.616 Christina Austin Smith from our legal 36:47.616 --> 36:49.616 shop very capably narrating again . 36:49.616 --> 36:51.504 This time , our regional business 36:51.504 --> 36:53.959 director , Eric Hansen who's handled 36:53.969 --> 36:56.080 the division colors and more division 36:56.080 --> 36:58.136 changes of command than most uniform 36:58.136 --> 37:00.025 command sergeants major . So many 37:00.025 --> 37:02.247 changes of command that we probably owe 37:02.247 --> 37:04.469 him a uniform with a set of chevrons on 37:04.469 --> 37:06.469 the sleeve . But what you don't see 37:06.469 --> 37:08.525 what's invisible is the support from 37:08.525 --> 37:08.370 our admin professionals and security 37:08.379 --> 37:10.101 professionals , public affairs 37:10.101 --> 37:12.212 contracting . Our logisticians who've 37:12.212 --> 37:14.323 all pitched in here as they do across 37:14.323 --> 37:16.323 the division everywhere , every day 37:16.323 --> 37:18.268 without much fanfare and when it's 37:18.268 --> 37:20.490 going right with almost no visibility , 37:20.490 --> 37:23.570 they just keep things moving and 37:23.580 --> 37:25.802 whichever one of them ordered up . This 37:25.802 --> 37:27.913 phenomenal weather couldn't have been 37:27.913 --> 37:30.024 better . And this entire ceremony was 37:30.024 --> 37:32.191 orchestrated by our division executive 37:32.191 --> 37:34.247 author Judy Hutchings who I probably 37:34.247 --> 37:36.358 just annoyed for drawing attention to 37:36.358 --> 37:36.050 her . But how about joining me in a 37:36.060 --> 37:38.116 round of applause for those who just 37:38.116 --> 37:40.171 keep things moving . And who brought 37:40.171 --> 37:41.504 this ceremony to life ? 37:46.669 --> 37:48.669 And what about the 2 34th Army band 37:48.669 --> 37:50.891 from the Oregon National Guard ? Thanks 37:50.891 --> 37:53.058 again for joining us at a dose of pomp 37:53.058 --> 37:54.891 and circumstance to our , to our 37:54.891 --> 37:57.113 ceremony . Thanks for showing them some 37:57.113 --> 37:59.058 appreciation as well . And then if 37:59.058 --> 38:01.113 you'll take a quick look over to the 38:01.113 --> 38:03.058 right and to the left , you'll see 38:03.058 --> 38:05.002 iconic Bonneville Dam , one of the 38:05.002 --> 38:07.058 Corps of Engineers most recognizable 38:07.058 --> 38:08.836 pieces of infrastructure . This 38:08.836 --> 38:10.891 magnificent edifice is over 80 years 38:10.891 --> 38:12.891 old and is a shining example of the 38:12.891 --> 38:14.891 core civil works mission , bringing 38:14.891 --> 38:16.836 together navigation , hydropower , 38:16.836 --> 38:19.058 recreation , water quality benefits and 38:19.058 --> 38:21.225 fish passage in a single project . And 38:21.225 --> 38:23.225 to create this landmark , just like 38:23.225 --> 38:25.447 every other project large or small that 38:25.447 --> 38:27.613 the Northwestern Division undertakes . 38:27.613 --> 38:29.558 It requires a team of everyday all 38:29.558 --> 38:31.780 stars to bring it to life . World class 38:31.780 --> 38:33.502 talent , engineers , surveyors 38:33.502 --> 38:35.613 draftsmen , real estate specialists , 38:35.613 --> 38:37.613 and contracting professionals , and 38:37.613 --> 38:39.447 budget and programming experts , 38:39.479 --> 38:41.812 construction and quality assurance reps , 38:41.812 --> 38:44.110 project managers . We had them all here 38:44.120 --> 38:47.110 in 1934 when construction started . And 38:47.120 --> 38:49.342 then once this was built , we placed it 38:49.342 --> 38:51.453 in the capable hands of the operators 38:51.453 --> 38:53.342 and maintainers , the mechanics , 38:53.342 --> 38:55.342 electricians , and other trades and 38:55.342 --> 38:57.231 crafts , and also our rangers and 38:57.231 --> 38:59.342 biologists and other natural resource 38:59.342 --> 39:01.459 managers who steward this nationally 39:01.469 --> 39:03.780 strategic infrastructure and the land 39:03.790 --> 39:06.030 and water around it which the nation 39:06.040 --> 39:09.239 has entrusted to our care . That same 39:09.250 --> 39:11.194 world class talent is still at the 39:11.194 --> 39:13.194 center of how we execute , not just 39:13.194 --> 39:14.972 civil works , but also military 39:14.972 --> 39:17.028 construction . And our international 39:17.028 --> 39:19.250 and inter agency support our regulatory 39:19.250 --> 39:21.528 program and our environmental projects . 39:21.528 --> 39:23.750 And we've added other types of all star 39:23.750 --> 39:25.861 talent to Northwestern Division since 39:25.861 --> 39:25.850 that time , as the Corps mission has 39:25.860 --> 39:28.489 evolved and expanded all kinds of 39:28.500 --> 39:30.167 environmental expertise since 39:30.167 --> 39:32.459 legislation created the need . Or more 39:32.469 --> 39:34.636 recently , those skilled in developing 39:34.636 --> 39:36.802 Nature Based Solutions as alternatives 39:36.802 --> 39:38.691 to traditional concrete and steel 39:38.691 --> 39:41.409 infrastructure . And in later years , 39:41.419 --> 39:43.641 as computers and the internet and other 39:43.641 --> 39:45.641 forms of automation emerged , we've 39:45.641 --> 39:47.752 added technical experts in computed , 39:47.752 --> 39:50.060 drafting it , remotely piloted vehicles 39:50.149 --> 39:52.205 or those who wrangle and put to work 39:52.205 --> 39:54.093 the vast amounts of data that our 39:54.093 --> 39:56.093 enterprise generates our ability to 39:56.093 --> 39:58.689 attract , develop and employ top tier 39:58.699 --> 40:01.489 talent remains as important as ever . 40:01.600 --> 40:03.689 But what ties us all together across 40:03.699 --> 40:06.520 disciplines and across generations here 40:06.530 --> 40:08.739 in Northwestern Division . What makes 40:08.750 --> 40:10.972 this an all star roster , believe it or 40:10.972 --> 40:13.028 not ? It's not the talent , although 40:13.028 --> 40:15.306 that's been on full display everywhere . 40:15.306 --> 40:17.306 I've gone across our vast footprint 40:17.306 --> 40:19.583 over the past three years . Now , what , 40:19.583 --> 40:21.472 what we all have in common is the 40:21.472 --> 40:23.472 spirit of service , the drive to do 40:23.472 --> 40:25.194 good for others to benefit our 40:25.194 --> 40:27.250 neighbors and communities across the 40:27.250 --> 40:29.417 region . And it has been an incredible 40:29.417 --> 40:31.639 privilege to be a part of that to serve 40:31.639 --> 40:33.639 with you in NWD over the past three 40:33.639 --> 40:35.861 years . And it's not just us , it would 40:35.861 --> 40:35.860 be out of bounds for me to not 40:35.870 --> 40:38.092 recognize our partners from the federal 40:38.092 --> 40:40.092 family with whom we work so closely 40:40.092 --> 40:42.290 doing our absolute best every day to 40:42.300 --> 40:44.244 show our fellow citizens what good 40:44.244 --> 40:47.340 government looks like . And I do want 40:47.350 --> 40:49.572 to make a point to recognize our tribal 40:49.572 --> 40:51.794 leaders who are in the audience today . 40:51.794 --> 40:54.017 You also serve through the leadership , 40:54.017 --> 40:56.239 you provide your tribal nations and I'm 40:56.239 --> 40:58.350 humbled that you've chosen to join us 40:58.350 --> 41:00.517 this morning and represent your tribes 41:00.517 --> 41:02.739 at our ceremony . I'm proud of the work 41:02.739 --> 41:04.906 we've done with you recently . And I'm 41:04.906 --> 41:07.072 optimistic that we continue to move in 41:07.072 --> 41:06.689 the direction of better living up to 41:06.699 --> 41:08.810 our treaty and trust responsibilities 41:08.850 --> 41:10.961 than ever before . Thank you for your 41:10.961 --> 41:12.683 partnership and for holding us 41:12.683 --> 41:15.090 accountable when we need it . And just 41:15.100 --> 41:17.709 a AAA final uh couple of thank yous to 41:17.719 --> 41:19.780 wrap things up . I want to thank all 41:19.790 --> 41:21.790 the supervisors across Northwestern 41:21.790 --> 41:23.901 Division who shouldered an incredible 41:23.901 --> 41:26.123 burden . Uh Initially , when I got here 41:26.123 --> 41:28.401 dealing with COVID more recently , the , 41:28.401 --> 41:30.623 the demands of a record program growing 41:30.623 --> 41:32.846 the workforce developing fresh talent . 41:32.846 --> 41:34.734 Uh All of you have done this with 41:34.734 --> 41:36.401 inspiring professionalism and 41:36.401 --> 41:38.234 dedication and again , exemplary 41:38.234 --> 41:40.179 service . Thanks to the senior 41:40.189 --> 41:42.245 civilians in our districts are DP MS 41:42.245 --> 41:44.356 who provide continuity and leadership 41:44.356 --> 41:46.580 while owning execution of the program 41:46.590 --> 41:48.757 down where the rubber meets the road . 41:48.820 --> 41:51.120 Thank you to the uh remarkably talented 41:51.129 --> 41:53.169 senior executives , Eric Hansen and 41:53.179 --> 41:55.419 Beth C who have also provided 41:55.429 --> 41:57.373 continuity and leadership from the 41:57.373 --> 41:59.596 division level . But at the same time , 41:59.596 --> 42:02.419 our change agents who are forcing NWD 42:02.429 --> 42:04.800 to adapt where it is needed . And 42:04.810 --> 42:06.977 thanks to the division's colonels , my 42:06.977 --> 42:08.643 deputies and all the district 42:08.643 --> 42:10.532 commanders with whom I've had the 42:10.532 --> 42:12.754 privilege to serve here in NWD . I have 42:12.754 --> 42:14.699 learned far more from you than you 42:14.699 --> 42:16.866 realize . And I'm a far better officer 42:16.866 --> 42:19.143 for having experienced your leadership . 42:19.143 --> 42:21.310 And lastly just uh some thanks for the 42:21.310 --> 42:23.421 everyday all stars in my own home for 42:23.421 --> 42:25.588 making all of this one and for keeping 42:25.588 --> 42:27.643 me humble , Jackson and Ryan , I , I 42:27.643 --> 42:29.588 can't wait to endure your 1.5 star 42:29.588 --> 42:31.643 reviews of this speech in the car on 42:31.643 --> 42:33.643 the way home and you can pass on to 42:33.643 --> 42:35.532 your little sister . What a great 42:35.532 --> 42:37.754 performance she missed while she's down 42:37.754 --> 42:40.088 at Oregon State this week . Mom and dad . 42:40.088 --> 42:40.010 Thanks for flying all the way out here 42:40.020 --> 42:41.964 for this . But this is no surprise 42:41.964 --> 42:44.020 within the family . You never miss a 42:44.020 --> 42:46.242 thing that matters in our lives . We'll 42:46.242 --> 42:48.242 have to talk later about whether uh 42:48.242 --> 42:50.409 General Graham is worthy of adoption . 42:50.409 --> 42:52.409 That's a different story . Anyway , 42:52.409 --> 42:54.576 we're so lucky to have you . Thanks so 42:54.576 --> 42:56.353 much . And Erica on to the next 42:56.353 --> 42:58.187 adventure . Here we go again . I 42:58.187 --> 43:00.298 couldn't do any of this without you . 43:00.298 --> 43:02.409 Thank you . All right . Now it's time 43:02.409 --> 43:04.298 for me to gracefully exit and let 43:04.298 --> 43:06.464 General Hannon take the stage , Bill . 43:06.464 --> 43:08.830 You've replaced me before and I can't 43:08.840 --> 43:10.951 tell you how comfortable I am leaving 43:10.951 --> 43:13.062 this all star team in your care . You 43:13.062 --> 43:15.284 have so much exciting , meaningful work 43:15.284 --> 43:17.229 ahead of you . You can make a real 43:17.229 --> 43:19.340 difference in hundreds of communities 43:19.340 --> 43:21.507 across the division footprint . I know 43:21.507 --> 43:21.449 you're going to crush it as the NWD 43:21.459 --> 43:23.459 commander and you and Sally and the 43:23.459 --> 43:25.459 kids are gonna love it here just as 43:25.459 --> 43:27.626 much as the Van EPPS have all the best 43:27.626 --> 43:29.737 to you and your family , all the best 43:29.737 --> 43:31.848 to all of you in the audience . Thank 43:31.848 --> 43:33.959 you for the privilege of serving with 43:33.959 --> 43:33.350 you . Essays , 43:44.100 --> 43:47.110 ladies and gentlemen , the Commander of 43:47.120 --> 43:49.231 the Northwestern Division , Brigadier 43:49.231 --> 43:50.719 General Bill Hannon . 43:58.540 --> 44:01.909 Wow . First , I just amazed , you know , 44:01.919 --> 44:04.219 to come out on a day like this , this 44:04.229 --> 44:07.459 scenery , this iconic structure behind 44:07.469 --> 44:10.149 us . I'm just in awe . So first , I 44:10.159 --> 44:12.590 just want to say by or start by just 44:12.600 --> 44:14.822 thanking all the distinguished visitors 44:14.822 --> 44:16.989 and guests that were mentioned today . 44:16.989 --> 44:19.211 You really make this ceremony special , 44:19.389 --> 44:21.445 you know , General Spelman , General 44:21.445 --> 44:23.500 Carlton , sorry , Major Gaelic , but 44:23.500 --> 44:25.611 sir , especially you General Graham , 44:25.611 --> 44:27.611 thanks for presiding over today and 44:27.611 --> 44:29.611 really thanks all for the trust and 44:29.611 --> 44:31.500 confidence to command this mighty 44:31.500 --> 44:33.389 division . I look forward to this 44:33.389 --> 44:35.500 opportunity and I will do my absolute 44:35.500 --> 44:37.989 best serving the people and partners of 44:38.000 --> 44:41.679 this awesome division . I also have to 44:41.689 --> 44:44.139 just pause and thank everybody that had 44:44.149 --> 44:46.530 a part in today's ceremony , but also a 44:46.540 --> 44:48.262 part in bringing me on as your 44:48.262 --> 44:50.373 commander . It's been an awesome week 44:50.373 --> 44:52.600 and I've already learned a ton in 44:52.610 --> 44:54.840 transition here and also for the 44:54.850 --> 44:56.906 Fabulous band . So let's just do one 44:56.906 --> 44:59.072 more round of applause for the amazing 44:59.072 --> 45:01.239 people that are part in the ceremony . 45:05.139 --> 45:07.250 Next . I just have to recognize a few 45:07.250 --> 45:09.472 folks that have enabled me my career or 45:09.472 --> 45:11.649 that traveled out here today that have 45:11.659 --> 45:14.219 supported me along the way first . Just 45:14.229 --> 45:16.285 a couple that aren't here . But it's 45:16.285 --> 45:18.507 worthy of mention my father , a Vietnam 45:18.507 --> 45:20.729 veteran and state police officer . He's 45:20.729 --> 45:23.620 really what started me in teaching me 45:23.629 --> 45:26.139 about what service is all about . So I 45:26.149 --> 45:28.205 owe a lot to him and then to Sally's 45:28.205 --> 45:30.427 parents , Ness and Sandy who will watch 45:30.427 --> 45:32.593 his ceremony later , they've also done 45:32.593 --> 45:34.816 just a tremendous amount for our family 45:34.816 --> 45:36.927 over the years and also have a strong 45:36.927 --> 45:40.060 tradition of service next to my family . 45:40.070 --> 45:42.169 Sally and our kiddos , Caroline , 45:42.179 --> 45:44.401 Billie and Elliot Rose . Thanks for all 45:44.409 --> 45:46.959 you have done , supported me for Sally . 45:46.969 --> 45:49.302 You know , she's been a project manager , 45:49.320 --> 45:51.469 deputy district commander and the A's 45:51.510 --> 45:54.899 best engineer officer . I know , you 45:54.939 --> 45:57.050 know . So I just want you all to know 45:57.050 --> 45:59.272 that you can count on her continuing to 45:59.272 --> 46:01.780 counsel me on how to be a good division 46:01.790 --> 46:04.260 commander . But on a serious note , she 46:04.270 --> 46:06.437 really is the most selfless person . I 46:06.437 --> 46:08.659 know . So , thanks Sally for everything 46:08.659 --> 46:10.881 you've done for me and for our family . 46:11.590 --> 46:14.550 General , retired Sabre Mary Beth , 46:14.590 --> 46:16.923 thanks for your leadership and guidance , 46:16.923 --> 46:19.090 but really thanks for being great role 46:19.090 --> 46:21.090 models to us and our family at Fort 46:21.090 --> 46:23.312 Leonard Wood . That was an amazing time 46:23.312 --> 46:25.312 that we had an opportunity to serve 46:25.312 --> 46:27.423 together . And we all just learned so 46:27.423 --> 46:30.889 much from your example . Tired Heminger . 46:30.979 --> 46:33.219 I know Claudia is not here today , but 46:33.229 --> 46:35.469 thanks for all . You did mentoring me 46:35.689 --> 46:37.745 when I was in Kansas City District . 46:37.745 --> 46:40.399 And I owe so much to you to maybe 46:40.409 --> 46:42.409 giving me that final little push to 46:42.409 --> 46:44.530 have this opportunity to really stand 46:44.540 --> 46:46.949 up here today . So thank you very much , 46:48.530 --> 46:50.889 Doug Thompson is here . His wife 46:50.899 --> 46:53.280 couldn't be here , Kate , but we've 46:53.290 --> 46:55.346 served with them several times . Our 46:55.346 --> 46:57.250 first touch in USA was under his 46:57.260 --> 47:00.110 leadership in Honolulu District . And 47:00.120 --> 47:02.419 once again , been great mentors and 47:02.429 --> 47:04.485 just friends to Sally and I over the 47:04.485 --> 47:06.596 years and I had the great opportunity 47:06.596 --> 47:08.939 to replace him in Kansas City District 47:08.949 --> 47:11.080 as well . So I learned a tremendous 47:11.090 --> 47:13.257 amount . Thanks for traveling out here 47:13.257 --> 47:16.689 today . Uh And , and , and so so 47:16.699 --> 47:19.610 really uh 011 other set , 47:20.479 --> 47:23.209 Mr Brian Smith and Larry essays , Myers . 47:23.219 --> 47:25.219 And sir , you mentioned service , I 47:25.219 --> 47:27.163 think Larry , you actually have 50 47:27.163 --> 47:29.275 years of federal service . Isn't that 47:29.275 --> 47:31.441 right ? Yeah , so yeah , so let's give 47:31.441 --> 47:31.280 another round of applause to that 47:31.449 --> 47:32.560 amount of service . 47:35.899 --> 47:37.955 But really , Brian , Brian and Larry 47:37.955 --> 47:39.955 were really the ones that taught me 47:40.110 --> 47:42.166 what a commander is supposed to be . 47:42.166 --> 47:44.221 And you say so I , so I owe a lot to 47:44.221 --> 47:46.443 them in the Kansas City district . So I 47:46.443 --> 47:50.239 I really appreciate that . And finally , 47:50.250 --> 47:52.370 I just want to say thanks to many 47:52.379 --> 47:54.435 teammates , civilian soldiers , NCOS 47:54.435 --> 47:56.590 and officers , but especially to some 47:56.600 --> 47:58.767 of the former district commanders that 47:58.767 --> 48:00.378 are here today that I had an 48:00.378 --> 48:02.433 opportunity to serve with and all my 48:02.433 --> 48:04.600 fellow division commanders right now , 48:04.600 --> 48:06.489 they've all made me a much , much 48:06.489 --> 48:08.711 better leader . And finally , I have to 48:08.711 --> 48:10.600 thank Jeff and Eric . This is the 48:10.600 --> 48:12.822 second time I've had the opportunity to 48:12.822 --> 48:14.933 take over for Jeff . The first was as 48:14.933 --> 48:17.044 chief of staff of the mighty engineer 48:17.044 --> 48:19.100 school at Fort Underwood . So I know 48:19.100 --> 48:18.979 what I'm in for . I'm taking over a 48:18.989 --> 48:21.790 great organization in a great spot that 48:21.800 --> 48:23.949 I just can continue to make better . 48:24.350 --> 48:26.239 But I also want to think from the 48:26.239 --> 48:28.461 family perspective , Erica , thanks for 48:28.461 --> 48:30.683 all the advice and we can thank her for 48:30.683 --> 48:32.906 finding the house that we found here in 48:32.906 --> 48:35.219 the area . So , but really from last 48:35.229 --> 48:37.340 time we were backdoor neighbors until 48:37.340 --> 48:39.618 now , just thanks for all your support , 48:39.618 --> 48:41.729 especially in the transition , coming 48:41.729 --> 48:43.951 into this new position . As I finish up 48:43.951 --> 48:46.173 talking today , I just want to end with 48:46.173 --> 48:48.396 a few great words and Jeff talked about 48:48.396 --> 48:50.396 them . It's the mighty Northwestern 48:50.396 --> 48:52.562 division , the people and the partners 48:52.562 --> 48:54.785 in this region , federal state , tribal 48:54.840 --> 48:57.719 industry , others that we have such a 48:58.050 --> 49:00.272 strong connection with that , we really 49:00.272 --> 49:03.139 couldn't complete our mission without I 49:03.149 --> 49:05.205 had the opportunity to serve in this 49:05.205 --> 49:07.427 division . And I've seen the great work 49:07.427 --> 49:09.649 that this division does . And without a 49:09.649 --> 49:11.871 doubt , it's the amazing efforts of the 49:11.871 --> 49:14.038 people and our partners of this mighty 49:14.038 --> 49:17.280 division that enable its success . So 49:17.290 --> 49:19.179 for our amazing employees and our 49:19.179 --> 49:21.512 amazing partners , both at the district , 49:21.512 --> 49:24.070 the division and the region , for all 49:24.080 --> 49:26.136 of our partners , I'm humbled at the 49:26.136 --> 49:28.413 opportunity to serve as your commander . 49:28.413 --> 49:30.413 You'll get my best . I'll work hard 49:30.413 --> 49:32.600 every day to enable your success and 49:32.610 --> 49:34.777 our success . So thanks again for this 49:34.777 --> 49:36.943 opportunity and for everyone attending 49:36.943 --> 49:40.040 today s a building strong , be all you 49:40.050 --> 49:41.050 can be . 49:52.360 --> 49:55.330 Ladies and gentlemen , please stand for 49:55.340 --> 49:57.396 the singing of the engineer and army 49:57.399 --> 49:59.870 songs presented by the 49:59.879 --> 50:03.389 234th army band and remain 50:03.399 --> 50:05.288 standing for the departure of the 50:05.288 --> 50:07.939 official party . The words to the songs 50:07.949 --> 50:09.989 are located in your programs . 50:22.679 --> 50:23.010 Oh , 50:26.870 --> 50:27.489 I see 50:33.159 --> 50:35.040 and see . I can . 51:15.909 --> 51:18.639 But tomorrow saying that all 51:21.159 --> 51:24.620 we are now the red 51:25.959 --> 51:29.040 now the truth to 51:40.649 --> 51:43.729 fight for the right and by 51:46.570 --> 51:50.030 so and 51:56.030 --> 51:59.879 that it is on its way , 52:06.989 --> 52:07.639 always know .