Chattanooga: A final salute

Briant Wade joined the 196th Field Artillery Brigade during World War II to serve his country, but he stayed with the unit for almost 40 years to be of service to his friends.

“My best memories are of the people I served with,” he said.

At Sunday’s ceremony marking the disbanding of the 196th, retired Chief Warrant Officer Wade watched from the front row as members of the 90-year-old U.S. Army National Guard unit stood at attention with their colors and their comrades for the last time.

“I would like to say to all those past and present who have served in the 196th that you have done the state of Tennessee proud,” said state Sen. Bo Watson, R-Chattanooga. “Not only in the confines of this, your great state, but within the United States and across the world.”

Improvements in technology, combined with a new role for the military since the end of the Cold War, have led to the reorganization of units like the 196th, Assistant Adjutant Gen. Max Haston said.

As part of an overall transformation of the Tennessee National Guard, the 196th will become part of the 230th Sustainment Brigade, a unit providing logistics and support to other combat units.

The change, however, is still bittersweet.

“Losing the linkage that that unit grew with is always very sad,” Assistant Adjutant Gen. Haston said. “It’s like losing a family member.”

For Bill Hackworth, who invaded the Philippines with the 196th during the World War II, seeing his old unit brought back a lot of memories.

“I’ve seen it go from a horse cavalry to rockets to going out of business,” he said.

With the unit standing at attention with their hands clasped behind their backs, the crowd rose as soldiers rolled up the flag bearing the unit’s colors, shrouded it in black and carried it from the armory.

“It is almost like a funeral,” said Jamie McKnight, whose husband, Capt. Travis McKnight, has belonged to the 196th for 16 years.

Although its members will now be assigned to different units, Ms. McKnight said the friendships they formed during their time with the 196th will continue.

“They’re your family no matter what unit they’re with now,” she said. “It’s a strong bond.”