Email   Print   Share By Heather Graham-Ashley, Sentinel News Editor

Facebook Digg Delicious August 11, 2011 | News

Outgoing DCG (Canada) Brig. Gen. Peter Atkinson, III Corps and Fort Hood Commanding General Lt. Gen. Don Campbell Jr., and incoming DCG (Canada) Brig. Gen. Dean Milner enter the farewell and welcome ceremony behind a bagpiper Monday at the III Corps flagpole. Heather Graham-Ashley, Sentinel News Editor

Incoming DCG (Canada) Brig. Gen. Dean Milner speaks to the crowd. Heather Graham-Ashley, Sentinel News Editor

Brig. Gen Peter Atkinson and his wife, Charlene, meet well-wishers following a farewell and welcome ceremony Monday at the III Corps flagpole. During the ceremony, the post welcomed incoming III Corps and Fort Hood DCG (Canada) Brig. Gen. Dean Milner. Milner comes to Fort Hood following a deployment to Afghanistan where he served as commander, JTF-Afghanistan. Heather Graham-Ashley, Sentinel News Editor

Members of the color guard hold flags of the United States, Canada, the U.S. Army and III Corps during the ceremony. Both the “Star Spangled Banner” and “O Canada,” Canada’s national anthem, were played at the ceremony. Atkinson told the crowd that was only the second time he had heard “O Canada” played on the bagpipes, and both of those instances were in Central Texas. Heather Graham-Ashley, Sentinel News Editor

When Fort Hood welcomed incoming Deputy Commanding General (Canada) Brig. Gen. Dean Milner, the day was bittersweet as the post and the surrounding community said farewell to outgoing Deputy Commanding General (Canada) Brig. Gen. Peter Atkinson.

During a ceremony Monday at the III Corps flagpole, III Corps and Fort Hood Commanding General Lt. Gen. Don Campbell Jr. recalled Atkinson’s accomplishments at the Great Place.

Atkinson’s time at Fort Hood was marked by his focus on training Soldiers, taking care of their Families and building relationships with the greater community.

“You would be hard-pressed to find someone more in tune with this community,” Campbell said about Atkinson.

From speaking at city Rotary Club events and chambers of commerce gatherings in the greater community to celebrating with Families as Soldiers returned from deployments and mourning those lost, Atkinson was a constant presence on and off post during his three years here.

Fort Hood Soldiers were always “his and our” Soldiers to Atkinson, Campbell said.

Since their arrival here in July 2008, Atkinson and his wife, Charlene, have adopted not only the Soldiers and Families at Fort Hood, but the Central Texas community, as well.

At an awards presentation before the ceremony, Atkinson was awarded a Legion of Merit by Campbell for his service at Fort Hood and named an admiral in the Texas Navy by Gov. Rick Perry. Charlene was awarded an Outstanding Civilian Service Medal by Campbell and named a Yellow Rose of Texas by Perry for her service to the community and Soldiers of Fort Hood.

“They believe in the Army and the Fort Hood community,” Campbell said. “You can tell by their actions that they care for this Central Texas community.”

While at Fort Hood, Atkinson championed the expanded Medical Simulation Center, enhanced Counter-Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Lanes and built a tight relationship with the surrounding communities.

“I am inspired by his ownership of the position he holds here,” Campbell said.

Under Atkinson’s guidance, the Medical Simulation Center developed into an asset that formerly trained only 500 Soldiers each year to a hub of life-saving exercises that now qualifies 5,000 troops annually. Atkinson expanded the CIED lanes on post to provide Soldiers real-world, relevant training without having to face separation from their Families.

Training was a priority for Atkinson, and he ensured they had what they needed.

“Where our Soldiers were training, I always gave them my best,” he said. “They deserve the absolute best we can do for them.”

Atkinson said his best moments at Fort Hood were at the welcome home ceremonies.

“I loved saying, ‘Families, come get your Soldiers,’” he said.

Off post, the community embraced the Atkinson Family.

“(Atkinson) is not just a representative of Fort Hood, he is a member of the Central Texas Family,” Campbell said.

Atkinson said he wanted to come to Fort Hood since 1989 when now-retired Gen. Rick Hillier served as deputy commanding general here. When Atkinson was told he received the appointment, he was

thrilled.

“I was ecstatic then,” Atkinson said. “I’ve been ecstatic the whole time I’ve been down here.”

While here, the Canadian became Texan through and through, Campbell said.

“It is a privilege to serve and an honor to train and look after Soldiers and their Families,” Atkinson said.

He said returning home to Canada after three years is bittersweet, and that the couple might have to become Central Texas snowbirds.

“Thank you for the trust you placed in us,” Atkinson said. “Everything I’ve done here is related to our mission statement.”

Former III Corps and Fort Hood Deputy Commanding General (Canada) and current head of the Canadian Army Lt. Gen. Peter Devlin returned to the Great Place for the ceremony.

Calling the Atkinsons “tremendous ambassadors of our country,” Devlin said the themes of Soldiers, Family and community defined their service at Fort Hood.

Devlin said Milner will continue along the path Atkinson led.

“You can guarantee (Milner) will maintain (Atkinson’s) focus on training, Family and community,” Devlin said.

The incoming general said he is overwhelmed by the support he already has received at Fort Hood.

“I have always wanted to be part of the III Corps team,” Milner said. “This is an opportunity of a lifetime.”

Milner comes to Fort Hood from a deployment to Afghanistan where he served as Commander of Joint Task Force Afghanistan 5-10. He is an armor officer who was a Royal Dragoon in the Canadian Army, as were Atkinson and Devlin.

Milner said he remains committed to the mission of training Soldiers and taking care of Families.

“I’m going to carry on the tradition Pete has sustained,” Milner said. “He no doubt left an impression here and set me up for

success.”