Passing of the Saber...

Lt. Col. Antonio Aguto, a Chicago native, sheaths the saber of Warhorse Troop, 4th Squadron (Reconnaissance and Target Acquisition Squadron), 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, Multi-National Division - Baghdad, during a change of command ceremony Apr. 2. The saber movement is, what some would say, one of the more ceremonial customs in the U.S. Army Cavalry. Aguto is the commander of 4th Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, Multi-National Division - Baghdad. (U.S. Army Photo/Master Sgt. Ruth Eggert)

“From the Swamps of Florida to the Deserts of Iraq, we 2nd Dragoons have lived up to our Motto Toujours Pret (Always Ready)"
Lt. Col. Antonio Aguto, Commander of 4th Sqdn., 2nd SCR, MND-B

Evening...

The following article, courtesy of DVIDS, is a good look at a time honored tradition of the U.S. Army...

Enjoy the read and continue to lift all of our warriors in the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment up in your prayers...

Thanks!

By Sgt. 1st Class William Quiett
2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment Public Affairs Office
CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq

As operations continue for Warhorse Troop, 4th Squadron (Reconnaissance and Target Acquisition Squadron), 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, they took a brief pause for a change of command ceremony and bid a fond farewell to Maj. Christopher C.E. McGarry of Pensacola, Fla., and hailed Capt. Marcus Melton of Marietta, Ga., April 2 at Camp Liberty, Iraq.

McGarry relinquished the command he carried for the past twelve months to a long time member of Saber Squadron’s family.

“I was a bit saddened to hand over the reigns of Pale Horse Troop, yet more than ready to accept another command within the Saber Squadron and take charge of Warhorse Troop,” said McGarry.

Many traditions in the Army are time honored events. But none are more enduring or revered as those held by the cavalry. After the guidon is passed and secured by its barer, one of the revered cavalry traditions begins, “Passing of the Saber.”

Lt. Col. Antonio Aguto, of Chicago, who serves as the commander of 4th Sqdn., 2nd SCR, MND-B, dons his riding gloves and draws the saber from its sheath which is no longer in pristine shining glory and passes the saber that shows ware from years of use. He passes the saber to McGarry who salutes Melton as a sign of respect and worthiness to carry on command of the cavalry troop. With the saber held forth right in upward facing palms, the relinquished commander then offers the saber to the new commander who returns the salute bows and kisses the steal he will loyally serve. Once returned to Aguto, the saber is re-sheathed and returned to his chamber where it is secured.

This change of command marks another chapter in the oldest continuously serving cavalry regiment in the U.S. Army today. 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment will celebrate its 172nd anniversary on May 23rd. “From the Swamps of Florida to the Deserts of Iraq, we 2nd Dragoons have lived up to our Motto Toujours Pret (Always Ready),” said Aguto.

Capt. Marcus Melton of Marietta, Ga., receives the troop guidon Apr. 2 from Lt. Col. Antonio Aguto a Chicago native, during a change of ceremony for Warhorse Troop, 4th Squadron (Reconnaissance and Target Acquisition Squadron), 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, Mutli-National Division Baghdad. (U.S. Army Photo/Master Sgt. Ruth Eggert)

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- Collabman