124th MPAD
ELBERTON, Saturday, June 10, 2006 – Georgia’s 1st Battalion, 214th Field Artillery received its new commander and said “so long” to the officer leaving that position. Family, friends and officials, both local and state filled the drill hall of the Calhoun Highway armory to capacity.
Taking the reins of the 214th is Lt. Col. Anthony Abbott of Dacula. Abbott, full-time state training administrator for Joint Forces Headquarters Plans and Operations in Ellenwood, commanded the 170th Military Police Battalion headquartered in Decatur on the M-Day side before taking over the 214th. He’s been a Guardsman for a little over 18 years.
Lieutenant Col. Woodrow “Woody” S. Radcliffe, leaves the unit and moves on to Carlisle Barracks, Pa., where he will attend the Army War College. Besides having commanded the 214th, Radcliffe is the former commander of Savannah’s 3rd ID Detachment, which deployed to Iraq in 2003 to support Operation Iraqi Freedom.
With the passing of the 214th guidon from the old to the new commander, Abbott stepped to the podium and made it clear that he expects much from his Soldiers, especially his noncommissioned officers.
“While I’m here, we’re going to train for war, prepare for disaster and take care of soldiers,” he said to the audience and the Soldiers assembled before him. “Everything we do in keeping ourselves physically and mentally prepared for whatever the mission may be is of the utmost importance.
“But to be ready also means making sure our Soldiers and their families have their problems dealt with because each is important to accomplishing that mission successfully,” he went on. “That’s why I expect my NCOs to ‘lead from the front and by example,’ and to remember that ‘Soldiers Matter.’”
Abbott completed his remarks by wishing his predecessor well on his newest endeavor, and by thanking Brig. Gen. Larry H. Ross, commander 78th Troop Command in Decatur, for his support and having confidence in Abbott’s leadership abilities.
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