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The outstanding troopers of the 545th in formation.
CPT Townsend gives his final speech to his soldiers after relinquishing command of the 545th MP Company.
The Commanding General of the 1st Cavalry Division, MG Chiarelli, made a surprise appearance at the podium to tell the 545th troopers how much he appreciated all they do for the division every day.
The CG actually was about 30 minutes late for the ceremony (actually the CG is never late to anything, we were just delayed) because he had to talk to the Corps commander about 5 minutes before the ceremony. He took the time to tell us that he had never crashed a change of command before and that as the CG he was going to take advantage of his position to talk quickly to our troopers. It was a great spontaneous addition to the ceremony.
Here is my speech that I gave to my troopers and the leaders of the division that attended the ceremony. It was short and to the point just like a good speech is supposed to be. I had talked to my troops, by platoon, during the week prior and to shook each one of their hands personally which allowed me to keep it short.
On the night of July 13th I spent seventeen hours at the bedside of one of our sergeants who was injured and lying in the Intensive Care Unit at the CSH (Combat Support Hospital). During the moments that I was not praying or talking to him, believing that he could hear me, I attempted to take my mind off my emotions by reading a book. In the pages of that book I found a new short sentences that best explain what I believe was MY duty in this war. "The toughest thing a decent man has to do in life is send another decent man somewhere he's probably going to get killed. That is called Command. And the most satisfying thing a man can do in life is be a commander." As I display my 1st Cavalry Division patch on my right shoulder I wear it in honor of YOU, the Troopers, NCOs and Lieutenants of the 545th Military Police Company that I was privileged to serve with and command in combat. May YOU, my fellow troopers, always know the jingle of spurs on your feet, the weight of cold steel in your hand and the taste of dust on your lips. It's a great team, it's our team, it's the First Team. You are, and always will be, the First Team's Finest! Bear Six Out.
I had a great 17 months being a company commander. I was privileged to get to train, coach, teach, mentor and prepare and lead the company in to a combat zone, which it did for the first time as an entire company since the Gulf War, 14 years ago. What I am most thankful for is that not one of my troopers died while I was the commander. We did present three Purple Hearts and the one I hung on a sergeant's chest was the last one I ever want to have to present to an American Soldier. It truly represents that Freedom is not Free. I have now moved on and I am serving again in the 89th Military Police Brigade and still here at Victory Base, Baghdad, Iraq. I am working on the long range plans and working on an operations order that is focused on the re-deployment of these troops. So like I tell them I am the guy that is bringing them nothing but good news from the product that I am writing. Because of my few minutes (hours) behind a computer they will get home easier and back to their families as quickly as possible, which is a good thing after a few months away from the ones you love. First Team! and Proven in Battle! CPT Ian Townsend
Here are photos of the guidon that flew throughout Ian's command and was presented to him from the troopers, NCOs and officers of the 545th for his leadership of the company in preparation for and deployment into Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom II. It is an honor to have the responsibility to keep this guidon safe forever.
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