Blog

The class of 71 had a gathering at the school on Dec 2006. (correction received that this was not 73).

 

1st Armored Division pins new brigadier general

Story and Photos by Spc. Andrew Orillion, 1st Armored Division Public Affairs

Photo by Sgt. Samuel Smith, 1st Armored Division Public Affairs November 3, 2006

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer once boasted that it had more stars than in the heavens. The 1st Armored Division may give MGM a run for its money, having just added another star to its roster, the newly pinned Brig. Gen. Michael A. Ryan, assistant division commander (Maneuver). Ryan was promoted to the rank of brigadier general during a ceremony at Wiesbaden Army Airfield Nov. 3.

The ceremony was presided over by Maj. Gen. Fred D. Robinson Jr., division commander. Robinson spoke of his firm belief in the abilities of the 1st AD’s newest brigadier general.

"Only one out of approximately 300 officers in any year group and 2% of all colonels will ever rise to the rank of general officer," Robinson said. "That speaks volumes about the quality of the officer himself and it sees even more about the efforts of the leaders and Soldiers who have molded him along the way."

Robinson continued, by mentioning a few of Ryan’s many accomplishments as ADCM. Ryan has held this position since July 2005.

"As ADCM, Ryan concentrated his efforts on reconstituting, training and building leaders throughout the division, making sure that they are all prepared for battle in this global war on terror,"

Robinson said. "I have never met an officer with greater dogged determination to insure the readiness of units." Robinson concluded his remarks by reaffirming his faith in the
leadership abilities of his newest one star. "I know of no officer more deserving of this than you, there is no doubt that you will continue to make a difference for every Soldier in this division," Robinson said.

After being officially pinned by Robinson, and being given his new kevlar and pistol belt, Ryan took the podium and spoke about his new rank and what it meant to him.

"Promotions are thought by some to be a very personal recognition which then triggers a very long and torturous monologue using every permutation of the personal pronoun and an excruciating trip down memory lane," Ryan said. "We are going to avoid some of this."

Ryan’s self-effacing sense of humor eventually gave way when he spoke about the responsibilities that come with any promotion.

"With every promotion there is a greater opportunity to train and care for our Soldiers, to fight bureaucracy and apply common sense to challenges," Ryan said. "If you accept a promotion with the intent of doing everything in your power to make a positive impact on the unit and its Soldiers, then I suspect that you will never be disappointed."

Ryan concluded his speech by thanking God, his family and all the troopers he served with over the years. He also offered a last bit of reflection on a career spent in service to his country.

The Class of 56 held its Golden Reunion this year at DBS on Nov 4th. We were honoured by the presence of the Headmaster and Mr. & Mrs. Brittain, one of the eminent teachers of our time, who at the age of 86 came especially from England to attend our Reunion.

Our "DBS DAY" -Nov 4 – kicked off with a warming up lunch at Loong Yuen Restaurant in Holiday Inn Hotel, where Mr. Brittain and Mr. Stephen Tai (Chemistry teacher) made their appearances together with some old boys from other years, namely Fung Yee Wang, Ha Wing Ho and George Kotwall.

A nostalgic return down memory lane began at 4 pm when our group returned to DBS to tour its grounds, with some successfully climbing all those steps, and memories of past years were rekindled by familiar landmarks. At 5 p.m. group photos were taken at the front portal of the school building. Headmaster Terence Chang joined us for the photo shoot. The "Thanks Given Service" took place in the School Chapel at 5:30 pm, officiated by classmate Rev. Paul Tong. The Headmaster then spoke of how the DBS Tradition & Spirit had been maintained in the intervening years. Classmates Chang Sze Wang and Henry Wong also spoke following the Headmaster. The Service ended with the presentation of the Library Fund– a donation collected from classmates of Class 56 – in the sum of HK$85,000 to the Headmaster, who pledged that HK $25,000 would be set aside to buy books and the balance for development of the School Library.

After the Service, the party adjourned for dinner in the Day Boys’ Dining Hall, where the Welcoming Speech was delivered by Howard Un, followed by speeches from Mr. Brittain and other classmates, namely Chang Yu, Alan Cheung, Henry Kennedy-Skipton, Lo Kingman, Peter K.S. Pun and Ronald So.

The "DBS DAY" of our Reunion was brought to a close after distributions of souvenirs presented by the Headmaster.

Participants to the "DBS DAY" – Chan Chung Kong, Otto Chan Kwok To, Chang Sze Wang, Hugh Chang Yu, Frank Chen, Alan Cheung, Charles Ho, Gary Hamet, Henry Kennedy -Skipton, Lawrence Kotwall, Albert Lam, Lincoln Lao, Herbert Lee, Leonard Leung, Lo Kingman, Pang Wing Luk, Peter Pun Kwok Shing, Ronald So, Paul Tong, Eric Tsao, Howard Un, Henry Wong.