Politics & Government

Westminster Planning Director Beyard Checks in From Iraq

Thomas Beyard, Westminster's director of planning, zoning and development is currently serving in Iraq.

Westminster's Department of Planning, Zoning and Development Director Thomas Beyard, 56, departed for a 400-day rotation with the Maryland Army National Guard in late summer.

According to a brief in the Baltimore Sun, Beyard joined the Guard in 1997 after years with the Army Reserve. He has worked for the city of Westminster for close to 24 years.

Until his return, his position is being filled by interim Director Steve Horn.

Find out what's happening in Westminsterwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Beyard sent correspondence to Westminster resident and business owner Lyndi McNulty, who shared his most recent email letter with Patch. The following email was sent from Beyard in addition to the attached photo.

To all, another week gone by here in Iraq. The weather has been very cool lately, especially at night. It is a big suprise to many that nights in the winter are very cool. But last night was mild and today is just beautiful.
 
Last Wednesday we had our ceremony know as the TOA ceremony. TOA is half of RIP/TOA, which means relief in place/transfer of authority. The TOA is when we officially take the mission from the outgoing unit, which in our case was the 40th Combat Aviation Brigade from California. They cased their colors, which means they folded their colors and we uncased our colors, which means that our colors are now hanging in our headquarters. Our brigade organizational colors, which most would call a flag, are red and blue, with the 29th Division blue and gray logo on it with the letters AVN, symbolizing aviation.
 
This morning we took at unit photo in front of our headquarters. All of our Soldiers participated and it was just very nice. Once I have it available, I will provide a copy for you to see.
 
Thanksgiving will soon be here and I will be moving around to spend this day with our Soldiers both in Iraq and elsewhere. The holidays are hard times, but to spend it with Soldiers is a great way to forget we are all so far away from home.
 
I wish each of you a great day and a happy holiday season. I will be here in Taji for a while, then I will move south to continue our mission.

Find out what's happening in Westminsterwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Caption for the attached photo
The photo is from our Transfer of Authority Ceremony on 9 November 2011 at Camp Taji, Iraq. The 40th Combat Aviation Brigade cased their colors, symbolizing the end of their mission. The 29th Combat Aviation Brigade, of which I am Command Sergeant Major, uncased its colors symbolizing the beginning of our mission. On the left is my commander, COL David Carey and me, CSM Thomas Beyard, is on the right. You can see our organizational colors between us.


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