Home of the 2-12th Inf Regiment
2-12th Change of Command Ceremony
March 24, 2023
Prior to the Change of Command, Terry Corum, Vernon Becker and I  met at BN HQ with LTC Thomas Carroll. A great opportunity to sit down and chat about his two years at Ft Carson and what the unit has been going through as they transisitioned from an infantry to an Stryker battalion. Later, we met CSM Willie Wood, and the new incoming battalion commander, LTC Travis Stellfox. Later I had a chance to visit brigade HQ and had a brief conversation with the brigade CSM, Mike Eiermann. - Sarge

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LTC Travis Stellfox- Incoming Bn Cmdr
LTC Thomas Carroll- Outgoing Bn Cmdr
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Presentation to LTC Carroll at BN HQ by Vietnam Veterans
Arnold Krause, LTC Tom Carroll, Terry Corum, Vernon Becker and CSM Willie Woods in the regimental room, Bn HQ
Change of Command Ceremony at the Special Events Center and presentation talk to LTC Carroll regarding the tomahawk gift.
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Passing the regimental colors
LTC Tom Carroll
Presentation Box
Program
Mrs Thomas Carroll
Col Kiser & LTC Carroll
Awarded Legion of Merit
Tomahawk Presentation
Arnold Krause & LTC Carroll
Arnold Krause & LTC Carroll
Color Guard
Passing the Command
Col Andrew Kiser
LTC Tom Carroll
Vernon Becker & Terry Corum
Inspecting the tomahawk
Closeup of similar gift

Sir, thank you for that kind introduction. COL Kiser, CSM Eiermann, LTC and Mrs Carroll, family and invited guests. It is my honor to be here today to present a gift to LTC Carroll. Unfortunately our honorary colonel of the Regiment Ed Northrop was not able to attend today and asked if I could stand in his place.

Looking back at our time in Vietnam, and the unit we served in, for many, including myself, we did not know the history of the Warriors. It wasn't until decades later that I began to research the 2-12th Infantry that i could see and understand what "Having been led by love of country" meant. Appreciation comes with age and time. Being part of its history has standing. The vast majority of those who served in Vietnam were proud to serve. The association between serving and who you actually served with, came later as it did with me and most Vietnam Vets.

It is my sincere wish that you know about our historical past. Before the 2nd battalion was sent to Vietnam in 1966,  as part of their training they were given a history lesson of  the 12th infantry. However, the average replacement soldier that followed was clueless to the units history they were assigned to. Regardless of these facts, the legecy of the Vietnam veterans of this brigade lies in our sacrifices and never forgetting the 254 men who died from the 1-12th or the 329 men from the 2-12th in the Vietnam War. We hold high the memories of those boys and men, our friends and fellow soldiers whom we reflect up daily.

Are these men heroes? If heroes are legendary figures or illustrious warriors, some probably weren't. But each one showed true heroism, the courage to do a difficult job at great personal risk... and each paid the greatest price that any hero has ever paid.

When all is said and done, Vietnam wasn't about heroism anyway. It was about duty. When our country called, each of these men answered - some voluntarily, some not - but each man went. And each died doing his duty as he saw it.

This gift represents the "warrior" in each of us and we veterans hope that this is a positive reflection of you and your families service to this great nation and to the soldiers of the lethal Warrior Battalion to whom you have faithfully served these past two years.

This tomahawk is engraved with a few sentiments which includes our motto having been led by love of country and your name on the handle. It is adorned with a dream catcher and is symbolic of comfort and protection and the prayer feathers symbolizing  high honor power trust strength, wisdom and freedom and a spiritual connection to the heavens.

Sir on behalf of all vietnam warrior veterans please accept this gift. May God continue to bless you and your family and all warriors past and present. - Arnold Krause