From: Tittle, Ron E LtCol NGFL [ron.tittle@us.army.mil] Sent: Saturday, June 26, 2010 4:12 PM To: Tittle, Ron E LtCol NGFL Subject: Fla. National Guard Media Release: Maj. Gen. Titshaw takes command as Adjutant General of Florida (UNCLASSIFIED) Classification: UNCLASSIFIED Caveats: NONE For More Information Contact: Lt. Col. Ron Tittle, (904)814-7559 Master Sgt. Tom Kielbasa (904)200-5621 Release 100626-01 ----- Maj. Gen. Titshaw takes command as Adjutant General of Florida STARKE, Fla. (June 26, 2010) - As a 47-year military career came to an end Saturday another career as the top military leader in Florida was just beginning. Maj. Gen. Douglas Burnett officially retired from the Florida National Guard during a military ceremony at Camp Blanding Joint Training Center, ending his tenure as Adjutant General of Florida. At the same time he relinquished his position to Maj. Gen. Emmett Titshaw Jr. During the morning ceremony on the parade field at Camp Blanding, Burnett presented the Florida National Guard flag to Florida's Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp as a ceremonial symbol of relinquishing command. In turn, the lieutenant governor presented the flag to Titshaw as a symbol of his taking command as the adjutant general. Lt. Gov. Kottkamp praised the outgoing adjutant general for his service as the state's top military leader. "When I think about General Burnett, certain words come quickly to mind: honor, integrity, duty, courage, strength and leadership," he said. "On behalf of a grateful governor and 18 million Floridians, thank you for your service." He also praised Titshaw for his prior service during state emergency operations, and noted is trust in the general to succeed as the next adjutant general. "I'm so proud that he is now taking over the leadership role here at the Florida National Guard," Kottkamp said. "I know he will do a remarkable job and carry on the tremendous job that General Burnett has done. We are proud of you. Congratulations General Titshaw." During his remarks, Maj. Gen. Burnett told the formation of Soldiers and Airmen on the parade field that he attributed many successes he's had as adjutant general to the Guardsmen under his command. "Today I'm honored to stand before you and say 'Thanks. We have achieved much,'" he said. "...I was on your shoulders. You carried me across that goal line of success." Burnett enlisted in the Air National Guard in 1963, and after serving more than 47 years holds the record as the longest-service Air Force officer. A written statement from Florida Gov. Charlie Crist noted: "It has been an honor to serve with such a distinguished leader as Major General Douglas Burnett. During his nearly nine years as head of the Florida National Guard, he has been a great example to the men and women of the Guard and provided effective service to all of the people of Florida as we have worked to recover from natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and flooding. I wish him and Judy, his wife of 41 years, the greatest enjoyment as he pursues his goals for his next phase of life." The governor's statement went on to welcome Titshaw as the Adjutant General of Florida: "At the same time, I look forward to serving with Major General Emmett R. 'Buddy' Titshaw Jr., who has already been working tirelessly with the State Emergency Response Team to address the ongoing oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. As Florida faces the uncertainties of the spill, along with a forecast of a busy hurricane season, I am confident General Titshaw's 40 years of experience commanding at every level of the Guard will ensure the continuation of its great legacy of service to the people of Florida." At the conclusion of the ceremony, Maj. Gen. Titshaw thanked Maj. Gen. Burnett for his mentorship, and addressed the men and women of the Florida National Guard. He told the gathered Soldiers and Airmen that the organization would continue in its success and would "not fail." "We will go forward remembering the rich heritage of our National Guard, remembering the sacrifices of both our forefathers and our Guardsmen of today, and the knowledge that our freedom is not free." He called Guard service a "sacred obligation" to the National Guard family, the citizens of Florida, and the citizens of the United States. "Like you on the field before us today, I am in the National Guard because I believe in what we do and because I can think of no higher calling than standing shoulder to shoulder with you in service to our nation and state. I want you to know I take seriously the sacred trust of command." ----- For those who were not able to download our live feed today we will post a video piece on DVIDS hopefully tonight. We have also posted this release and photos on our web site and on our Facebook site. See links below. Thanks. ### Respectfully, Ron Tittle, Lt Col, FLANG Director of Public Affairs Florida Army and Air National Guard 82 Marine St. St. Augustine, FL 32084 904-823-0166 office 904-814-7559 mobile ron.tittle@us.army.mil http://www.floridaguard.army.mil/news http://www.twitter.com/flguard http://www.facebook.com/FloridaNationalGuard Classification: UNCLASSIFIED Caveats: NONE