July 26, 2014  –   KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany — Soldiers, family members and friends gathered to bid farewell to Brig. Gen. Paul M. Benenati and welcome Brig. Gen. Arlan M. DeBlieck as the new commanding general of the 7th Civil Support Command and deputy commanding general of the 21st Theater Sustainment Command during a change of command ceremony on Daenner Kaserne, July 26.

Maj. Gen. John R. O’Connor, the commanding general of the 21st TSC, presided over the ceremony and passed the 7th CSC colors to DeBlieck.

“Today, we are here to wish Brig. Gen. Paul Benenati the best of luck on his future endeavors as he leaves the great men and women of the 7th CSC and to welcome Brig. Gen. Arlan DeBlieck to the ‘First in Support’ team,” O’Connor said. “I know Arlan will continue the exceptional leadership the Soldiers and family members of the 7th Civil Support Command have come to enjoy.”

Benenati then expressed his feelings on the change of command.

“This is a sad day for me, for it means that my tour has just about come to a close,” he said. “During my time here I have met many new friends, worked with some of the greatest Soldiers, Airmen, and civilians serving our great nation and the nations of so many of our friends and allies. I have fallen in love with the people of Germany, your culture, your beautiful country, your way of life, and your tremendous patriotism and friendship for those of us in the United States military.”

Benenati expressed his gratitude to the Soldiers of the 7th CSC.

“I am so proud of each one of the Soldiers standing on the field here today, and have been so honored to have served as your commander for these past two years.”

DeBlieck took the podium for few brief remarks to the 7th CSC Soldiers.

“Brig. Gen. Benenati has been instrumental in developing a solid doctrinal foundation for consequence management, enhancing strategic consequence management partnerships, and insuring the 7th [CSC], a reserve component organization, is positioned well to provide consequent management capabilities to USAREUR where and when they are needed,” DeBlieck said.

“Paul, you have left some pretty large boots to fill,” he added.

Lt. Gen. Donald M. Campbell Jr., the commanding general of U.S. Army Europe, and Maj. Gen. Glenn J. Lesniak, the deputy commanding general of the U.S. Army Reserve, were among the distinguished guests in attendance.