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New Commander Takes Over 7th Infantry Division At
JBLM 13 August 2019
Soldiers, families, and community members gathered to bid farewell to
Willard M. Burleson III, outgoing commanding general, 7th Infantry
Division, relinquished command to the incoming commander, Maj. Gen. Xavier
T. Brunson, during a Change of Command ceremony held on Watkins Field at
JBLM, Wash., Aug 13.In keeping with military tradition, Burleson
relinquished command by passing the 7th Infantry Division colors, which
symbolize command, to Lt. Gen. Gary Volesky, commanding general, I Corps,
who then passed them to Brunson, thus endowing him with the authority of
command, and formally recognizing him as the Commanding General of the 7th
Infantry Division. "You have done what you always do so well,"
said Burleson to the Soldiers on the field. "You take a little bit of
guidance and make it happen. It has been a tremendous honor to serve with
you."
Burleson took the opportunity to speak about all the missions his units
accomplished during his two-year command. Deployments to Afghanistan,
assisting with the California wildfires, and the Southwest Boarder Mission
to rotations in Korea, Thailand and the Philippines as part of U.S. Army
Pacific's bilateral exercises. “These Soldiers standing before you are ready,"
said Burleson. "They have answered our Nation's call to defend our
country and our way of life, and for this we should all be grateful.
“Brunson, the incoming commander, recognized and thanked Burleson for the
accomplishments of the Bayonet Division under his leadership and direction
while serving as the commander of 7th ID. Brunson graduated from Hampton
University and was commissioned into the Infantry in 1990. As a General
Officer, he served as Assistant Commanding General (Support), United States
Army Special Forces Command at Fort Bragg, NC and Operation Inherent
Resolve and Deputy Commanding General (Operations), 10th Mountain Division
at Fort Drum, NY.
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We
are a non-profit Association for former members
of the 7th Infantry Division who saw service during World Wars I or II,
Korea, Panama, Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom, Afghanistan or any other
wartime or peacetime service.
The
purpose of the Association is to preserve and strengthen the bonds of friendship
and camaraderie among the members through reunions, meetings, publications
and other social activities.
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Membership,
on a voluntary basis, was solicited from the ranks of personnel, both men
and women, who have honorably served with the 7th Infantry Division.
Service may have been in war or peace. Unfortunately,
the membership has dropped to the point that it is no longer feasible to
continue Association operations. Please see your Winter 2020 Hourglass for
aditional information.
 Our most recent
reunion was held in Tacoma, WA. It was attended by 51 members and guests.
Those in attendance were treated to a tour of the Lewis Army Museum
and the newly refurbished Bayonet Division Headquarters located at Joint
Base Lewis McChord. The musuem tours was conducted by MAJ Adam Latham. The
Headquarters tour was hosted by MG Thomas James and conducted by COL Tim
Holman.
The 7th ID Association will no longer hold reunions.
If you
would like to read our most recent newsletter, The Hourglass, please
click on this link Winter 2020
Hourglass and download a copy of it to your machine. It is in Adobe
Acrobat Reader format.
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