Planning Director Beyard Ends Tour, Prepares Return to Westminster

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

In the following correspondence Beyard talks about completing his tour and preparing to return home.

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.

Beyard sends occasional correspondence to Patch and we will post his letters and photos as we receive them.

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Hello,

Our transfer of authority took place yesterday, 10 August 2012, when we officially handed off our mission to the 35th CAB from Missouri. The day was full of ceremonies, as two of our battalions either ended their mission or handed off their mission to a replacement unit.

We actually held three end of mission/uncasing-casing ceremonies, plus we had a special luncheon attended by MG Cheek, DCG-O of Third Army and CSM Frennier, the CSM of Third Army. We had a special cake with the logos of the 29th CAB and 35th CAB and all was nice. We also presented some 29th CAB murals to some of our special guests who supported and worked hard for us during our deployment.

For me, I was presented my end of tour award during the luncheon by MG Cheek. It was a great day and I am thankful for the great work of our Soldiers.

Our chapter in the Middle East will soon end and we will be on our way to Ft. Hood, Texas very soon. Once we finish there, we will be home.

Thanks to all of you for your great support throughout the last year!

I included some photos of our ceremonies. You will see the special cake they made for our TOA. Then there are three photos of our casing ceremony. Another is a photo of the presentation of my end of tour award by MG Cheek. Last is a photo of me presenting a 29th CAB mural to CSM Frennier.

Regards, Tom