'On time, on target' brigade bids farewell to Soldiers

Published April 11, 2013
By Staff Sgt. Nicole Dykstra
72nd Operations Brigade Public Affairs

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- One of the most sacred traditions in the Army is recognizing service members who are retiring from a career of dedicated, honorable service.

Two such 72nd Operations Brigade Soldiers were honored in a ceremony here March 27, 2013.

Upon retirement, Lt. Col. Andrew B. Decker, Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, and Sgt. 1st Class Brian T. Goodheart, 3rd Battalion, 314th Field Artillery Regiment, had more than 43 years of combined military service.

"By honoring these two Soldiers today, we are also honoring our profession of arms - our professional military ethic," said Col. Michael Shrout, 72nd Ops. Bde. commander. "We cannot allow ourselves to be too busy or too distracted from ensuring we continue this custom."

The two retiring Soldiers had five deployments to combat or conflict, serving four Presidents through six administrations between them. The Soldiers served in such places as Fort Sill, Okla., Babenhausen, Germany, and the Beirut U.S. Embassy.

Decker joined the Army for the adventure and to gain credibility and respect among his peers. His family has a tradition of military service and he always enjoyed hearing the stories about their service when he was growing up.

Decker completed flight school and served as a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter pilot during his 23 years of service, which included time in both the Georgia Army National Guard and on active duty. He took part in a XVIII Airborne Corps War Fighter while assigned to the 101st Airborne Division and supported the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency's Operation WEED EATER in Trinidad and Tobago, helping to eradicate marijuana fields in the jungle.

In retirement, he looks forward to going back to school and spending time with his family, he said.

Goodheart enlisted in the Army to better himself as an individual and to pay respect to his family's tradition of military service, he said. His father served as an Abrams mechanic in the Army for nine years, and Goodheart wanted to serve honorably as well. His favorite assignment was serving as a drill sergeant for Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training Soldiers, because he was able to have an impact on the Army's future leaders. In retirement, he hopes to transition smoothly into civilian employment, he said.

The service members both received a folded U.S. flag and the retirement pin during the ceremony, signifying the last event of their military careers.

"Gentlemen, your country owes you a tremendous debt for your years of faithful service," said Shrout during the ceremony. "On behalf of a grateful nation, let us, your comrades, start that process by offering you an ovation of thanks."