Changing Of The Guard

Story by SGT Charles Ames; Photos by SPC Bill Putnam   -   Posted Feb, 2003

     On a cloudy, dry mid-September morning, a subdued ceremony witnessed the promotion and transfer of command of the Washington Army National Guard from Brigadier General Lee Legowik to Brigadier General Gordon Toney.

     After a spectacularly event-filled 7-year tenure, BG Legowik wraps up a military career that spans 37 years and includes platoon leadership in Vietnam. He plans to retire in the area.

COL Toney is promoted to Brigadier General

     BG Legowik stated it is a time for moving on, a time for change.  It has been grand."

     "The last 30 years with the Army National Guard have been a treasure.  Each of those years was meaningful to me, but the great soldiers of the Washington Army National Guard were what made them special to me.  I will miss you all very much.

     BG Toney was promoted from Colonel that same day.  The stars given to him were previously worn by BG Legowik.  As Mrs. Toney and Major General Timothy Lowenberg, the Adjutant General, pinned on the stars, BG Toneys sons presented him with his general officers belt - a traditional accoutrements of generalship, and his star-spangled helmet.

     Following the change of command, Maj Gen Lowenberg summed up his esteem of his new Army Guard commander; General Toney is an officer of uncommon ability and an uncompromising dedication to his soldiers and his country.

     General Toneys concern for his troops is renowned.  Well take care of our most important resources... our soldiers.  We are vested with the sons and daughters of our nation.  Part and parcel to that is taking care of our soldiers families.  We are entrusted with a group of uncommon Americans who share our love for patriotism.

The Adjutant General (r) bids farewell to BG Legowik, the outgoing Commander, Washington Army National Guard

     To a force heavily tasked with real-world missions and strained resources, General Toney gave some reassurance, We can have fun.  This is a serious business, I know that. We can find rewards in the fact that this is our destiny, I believe; our destiny to use our God-given skills.  I'm not saying that its going to get any easier.  We know that the storms will come... the floods will come... the fires will happen... there perhaps will be an earth quake... perhaps civil unrest.  We know that the war clouds may be also growing.  We know that there is an expanding role for the Guard in this struggle."

     General Toney reminded the assembly of the ideas that necessitated the Guards formation.  The National Guards mandate, indeed its central idea set forth by the framers of the Constitution, is that our military would be of the people by being vested with the people through our militias and our citizen-soldiers. And we need that link from the military to the American people.  We will need the support of the American people to bring this struggle to a successful conclusion.

     General Toney will chart his own course, MG Lowenberg said. Its a course I fully support. Its a course we welcome and a road ahead we eagerly anticipate.

     BG Toney vacates the office of Army Guard Chief of Staff, now filled by COL James Kelly, the former Director of Operations.  COL Kelly's position in Operations, too, will be filled by a worthy soldier.