ASHLAND — In a ceremony filled with military tradition and history, the 201st Engineer Battalion known as “Workhorse” welcomed their new commander Saturday morning while saluting the officer they recently followed to Afghanistan.
Outgoing Commander Lt. Col. Michael Ferguson, who has been a member of the Kentucky National Guard family since 1988 presented the company’s colors to incoming Commander Lt. Col. Jerry Morrison. Ferguson’s wife was presented a bouquet of in-bloom red roses to symbolize his accomplishments, while Morrison’s wife was given a bouquet of yellow rose buds that will bloom in the days to come.
Speaking to members of the 201st and their families, as well as local elected officials, Maj. Gen. Edward Tonini asked the assembled soldiers to “truly relax” instead of standing at parade rest, and expressed his confidence in Morrison’s abilities while praising Ferguson and the rest of the unit.
“You accomplished things that have never been done before,” Tonini said, citing the unit’s high rate of engagement with enemy forces and the “hundreds and hundreds” of improvised explosive devices they were exposed to.
Ferguson kept his remarks brief, saying he doesn’t plan to cut himself off from the guard unit when he assumes his new role as the Kentucky National Guard Director of Aviation.
“Well, it’s been a long ride. It’s been 22 years since I walked up that ramp and found a family — found a career,” Ferguson said, quickly adding a list of the foreign places the local guard unit has accomplished missions, as well as their assistance to countless Americans following natural disasters in this state and elsewhere.
Quoting a friend and mentor, Ferguson said “This is not good-bye, but I’ll see you around.”
Morrison said he is “humble, grateful and excited,” as he assumes command, and issued a challenge to every soldier present to rise to command and fill the unit’s leadership vacancies.
Lt. Col. Morrison joined the United States Marine Corps in 1986 and the Kentucky National Guard in 1989. His military education includes Officer Candidate School, Engineer Officer basic and advanced courses, Combines Arms Staff Service School and the Command and General Staff College.
He has received the Bronze Star medal, two meritorious service medals, four Army commendation medals, two Army Achievement medals, the Global War on Terrorism Medal, two National Defense Service Medals, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, Humanitarian Service Medal, Kentucky Distinguished Service Medal, two Kentucky commendation medals and the Air Assault Badge.
Morrison is a graduate of Eastern Kentucky University with a degree in Industrial Risk Management. A member of Sandy City Baptist Church in Catlettsburg, he and his wife Becki reside in Versailles with their daughter Shelbi and son Cody.
TIM PRESTON can be reached at tpreston@dailyindependent.com or at (606) 326-2651.
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