Email   Print   Share By Jamie Carson, CASC Public Affairs

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Near a newly planted dogwood tree in honor of his father, Brig. Gen. Terence Hildner, former commanding general of the 13th ESC, Jonathan Hildner shares a personal moment with Command Sgt. Maj. James Sims, the Quartermaster Corps’ top noncommissioned officer. During the June 14 ceremony, a tree was planted and marker unveiled honoring the life and service of the former 23rd QM Brigade commander near the 1st Logistics Command War Memorial. Jamie Carson, CASC Public Affairs

This granite marker, located near the dogwood tree planted in honor of Brig. Gen. Terence Hildner, former commanding general of the 13th ESC, was unveiled by Quartermaster Corps’ leadership team and the Hildner Family. The tree is located near the 1st Logistics Command War Memorial, by the headquarters of the Combined Arms Support Command, where Hildner previously served from 2007-2010. Jamie Carson, CASC Public Affairs

With the assistance of Command Sgt. Maj. James Sims, the Quartermaster Corps’ top noncommissioned officer, and Brig. Gen. Gwen Bingham, QM Corps and QM School commandant, Jonathan and Cindy Hildner unveil a marker honoring the memory of Brig. Gen. Terence Hildner, former commanding general of the 13th ESC during a ceremony at Fort Lee, Va., June 14. Hildner, Jonathan’s father and Cindy’s husband, died Feb. 3 in Kabul, Afghanistan, of natural causes. The marker, along with a dogwood tree planted in Hildner’s memory, is located near the 1st Logistics Command War Memorial. From July 2007 to 2010, Hildner served at Fort Lee, where he commanded the 23rd QM Brigade, QM School and then served as the Combined Arms Support Command director of operations, Training and Doctrine. Jamie Carson, CASC Public Affairs

FORT LEE, Va. - The dogwood tree, known for being strong and reliable, that is now planted near the headquarters of the Combined Arms Support Command is a lasting tribute to an Army leader known for the same qualities.

The tree was planted in memory of Brig. Gen. Terence J. Hildner, former commanding general of the 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), who died Feb. 3 in Kabul, Afghanistan, of natural causes. The Quartermaster Corps held a dedication ceremony near the tree to honor the former 23rd QM Brigade commander on the Army’s 237 birthday June 14.

“Just like the roots of a tree, which provide the plant with the nourishment it needs to grow, become strong and survive, Terry became one of the quartermaster and Army roots,” Brig. Gen. Gwen Bingham, QM General and QM School commandant, said during the ceremony. “Just like the branches and leaves of a tree that provide protection and comfort to many living things, regardless of the circumstances, Terry had the natural ability to do the same.”

Hildner served 28 years in the U.S. Army, eight of those years in command positions.

Reflecting upon his remarkable service to the nation, it’s understandable that he was considered a giant of a man, with a kind soul, who truly cared about everyone he met, Bingham said.

During the ceremony Hildner’s widow, Cindy, and one of his children, Jonathan, along with Bingham and Command Sgt. Maj. James Sims, QM Corps’ top noncommissioned officer, unveiled a marker near the tree.

The granite marker stands as a steadfast reminder of Hildner’s selfless service and dedication.

“Brig. Gen. Hildner was truly a warfighter’s logistician and sustainer. He was a visionary, who was renowned for his belief in the importance of training,” the 51st QM General said.

While commanding the 23rd QM BDE, Hildner implemented the warrior field training exercise, which was the parent of the Sustainment Warrior Field Training Exercise that is the culminating event where Soldiers practice all that they have learned.

“Terry always ensured that everyone was trained and ready to add value to the next unit or next mission,” Bingham said.

Following his brigade command, Hildner continued his focus on training while serving as CASCOM’s G3/director, Training and Doctrine.

He was a leader of Soldiers and Civilians who truly loved being a Soldier, a leader and a statesman, said Bingham.

“While we feel a void with Terry no longer physically with us, we know that Terry’s love of his Family and his legacy will continually live through all of us,” Bingham said. “As service members, I believe that we can best honor Terry through our love of country, our love of each other, and our sense of duty in striving to be the best officer, NCO, warrior or civilian that we can possibly be.”

In addition to Cindy and Jonathan, Hildner is survived by his parents, Robert and Susan Hildner, and children, Ryan, Julie and Brittany.