FORT EUSTIS, Va. –
The last command team of 71st Transportation Battalion at Fort Eustis cased the unit's colors during a deactivation ceremony July 16 outside the Transportation Museum on Fort Eustis.
Lt. Col. Nancy Jo Hubbard, former 71st Trans. Bn. commander and Master Sgt. Randall Higgins, former acting 71st Trans. Bn. command sergeant major, did the honors as the unit moved to Fort Lee, effective July 16 as part of the 2005 Department of Defense Base Realignment and Closure. The unit will be reassigned to the 23rd Quartermaster Brigade at Lee.
Following the deactivation, a retirement ceremony was held for Hubbard inside the Transportation Museum.
Ceremony reviewing officer Col. Daniel Georgi, 8th Transportation Brigade commander, gave remarks about the move and Hubbard's time in command of the 71st Trans. Bn.
"It's a bitter sweet time, yet also a chance to celebrate," Georgi said. "After we case the colors of the 71st, we celebrate because we today we bid a fond farewell and goodbye to a devoted, patriotic invaluable teammate in N.J. Hubbard."
Georgi said she is a master at mentorship and coaching.
"This is a commander who led this battalion to great heights even in the throws of BRAC," Georgi said.
Georgi spoke of Hubbard's transformation jobs with the 202nd Military Police Company, which was moved to Fort Bliss, Texas, after a 15-month deployment from Eustis. She also repositioned both Echo Company and 508th Trans. Co. to the Lee Quartermaster Battalion. She recently cased the colors to Golf Co., 71st Trans. Bn. Hubbard also laterally moved the 221st MP Detachment to the 733rd Mission Support Group July 15.
"Today, I won't be welcoming in a new command team to the 71st Trans." Georgi said. "It's all about the magnificent history of the 71st Trans. that we recognize today and the accomplishments of Lieutenant Colonel N.J. Hubbard. We celebrate you today N.J. and the honorable lineage and history of the 71st."
It was then time for Hubbard's remarks.
"I'll be able to make this speech really quick because Colonel Georgi pretty much covered everything," Hubbard said. She then thanked Georgi for his guidance during her time in command. She was at Eustis for six years, the most time she's spend at any one place in her life.
"You've all been part of the success of the 71st Transportation Battalion," Hubbard said of the fellow commanders, civilians and Soldiers at Fort Eustis. "You're a community that can't be forgotten. I couldn't have done it without you."
Hubbard is married to Maj. Chris Hubbard and they have four children - Christopher, 15, Gavin, 11, Zachary, 4 and Madelyn, 2.