By Meghan E. Murphy
March 09, 2009 6:00 AM
WEST POINT — In a symbolic ceremony, Brig. Gen. Michael Silva handed the colors of the 411th Engineer Brigade to his successor Sunday.
After three years of commanding more than 3,800 soldiers and managing $1.8 billion in construction projects in Iraq, the West Point grad will return to Kansas and dust off his resume.
The unit is headquartered in New Windsor. It pulls members from across most of the eastern half of the state, including the Hudson Valley.
Silva took over the brigade just before it was deployed to Iraq in August 2006. The engineers were tasked with everything from snuffing out improvised explosive devices on roadways to building bases on the front lines.
The construction logistics for Army engineers are similar to the projects many do at home when they're not in active duty, Chief Warrant Officer Vincent Giordano of Fort Dix, N.J., said.
"The only difference is when you're building a shopping center there's usually no one shooting at you," said Col. James Monagle of Walden.
From the ground up, the brigade built the base that housed about 5,000 soldiers during the troop surge of 2007. A veritable city was constructed in only 45 days, Silva said. For their work, the brigade was presented with a meritorious unit commendation medal Sunday.
After returning from Iraq, the men returned to their civilian lives. Silva tended to the recruiting and training of brigade soldiers. Maj. Gen. Paul Hamm lauded Silva for taking on the task so quickly after returning from war. As he honored Silva, he also spoke of the accomplishments of Col. David Weeks, a native of Tallulah, La., who now takes the reigns for the 411th.
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