Fires Squadron says goodbye to CSM with 30 years
2d Stryker Cavalry Regiment, Public Affairs Office
VILSECK, Germany –Despite heavy rains, Soldiers and family members from Fires Squadron of the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment gathered Thursday, at the Vilseck High School football field to say goodbye to Command Sgt. Maj. Anthony Diamond and welcome the new CSM, Squadron Command Sgt. Major Lorenzo F. Wallace during a change of responsibility ceremony.
After 30 years of service, Diamond ended his career with a bang. As is the tradition within Field Artillery units, the event opened with the firing of the last round. During the Last Round ceremony the outgoing senior non-commissioned officer takes control of the gun line and fires one final volley with the unit. The canister from that round is then presented to the outgoing NCO. Diamond was presented the canister by the First Sergeants of the Squadron. This ceremony symbolizes the desire of each artilleryman to be with his men manning his howitzer in battle.
“How do you summarize three decades of service and self-sacrifice, and do it justice,” said Lt. Col. Steven A. Bergosh, Commander of Fires Squadron, 2SCR. “Command Sgt. Major Diamond, there is no one in the Army I respect more than you.”
“Tony Diamond embodies integrity,” Bergosh continued. “He has a real talent for communicating, ‘Sir that is a real dumb idea, but here’s a better one,’ without making you feel like an idiot.”
“I have never worked with a Command Sgt. Major as approachable as he and that has truly been a gift,” he said.
Bergosh praised Diamond as an NCO concerned with the welfare of all his Soldiers.
“He cares more about the Soldiers as people than any other leader I have worked with,” Bergosh said.
Command Sgt. Diamond began his field artillery career in November 1979, when he entered the Army as a Field Artillery cannon crewman. In his illustrious 30 year career, he has held positions from nuclear projectile assembler to Battalion Sergeant Major for Task Force 1-6 FA in Iraq.
Diamond attributed his success throughout his career to his parents.
“My Dad who also happened to be an artilleryman,” he said, “set me on the correct azimuth about 48 years ago and I have been steady and true ever since.”
Diamond had a few parting words of advice to the Soldiers of FIRES.
“Troopers, I bid you farewell and the best of luck in the next fight,” he said. “Continue to lean forward in the foxhole and always ride high in the saddle.”
Taking over for Diamond is Command Sgt. Major Lorenzo F. Wallace. Wallace is a native of Paraiso Canal Zone, Republic of Panama. He began his career in 1982 and has served in a variety of leadership positions, including Section Chief, Gunnery Sergeant, Platoon Sergeant, Senior Drill Sergeant, Observer Controller Trainer Team Chief, Operations Sergeant Major, Operations Fires Sergeant Major and Command Sergeant Major.
For Wallace accepting this appointment was a homecoming.
“It’s been 27 ½ years and I can finally say I am back home,” Wallace admitted. “Just inhaling the smoke makes me say AHHHH!”
