Credits:
Write up thanks to Rich St Denis
Photos by Frank Monaco
Program from the event scanned - thanks to ARCENT
Photos from ARCENT Hallway
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On May 4 at Ft McPherson, Georgia, LTG Jimmy Lovelace relinquished command of U.S. Army Central (ARCENT -- formerly Third Army – “Patton’s Own”), which he led for nearly 17 months at the end of a distinguished 39-year military career.

At the Awards Ceremony just prior, he received the Distinguished Service Medal for his remarkable leadership, while wife Gail fittingly received both Department of the Army and U.S. Central Command awards for her many caring contributions in the community. The night before, Lace hosted a gathering of about 30 family, friends and classmates on base.

In his retirement speech which was by turns humble, humorous and touching, Lace expressed his deep appreciation to the many people who shaped his life and career, with an especially moving tribute at the end to wife Gail and to his father who joined Third Army exactly 64 years ago to the day. He also paid heartfelt tribute to West Point and his classmates, 17 of whom were in attendance.

Classmates attending:

Ben and Patty Bentley
Don and Betsey Blakeslee
Julian Burns
John and Janet Cogbill
Steve Cook
Jim Crawford
Dominick and Mariella Crea
John and Cathy Drinkwater
Bart and Mary Engram
Terry Hilderbrand
Kerry Lawrence
Chuck McAteer
Rich and Malinda Measner
Frank Monaco and son Frank Jr
Paul Passaro
Rich St Denis and Kathy Klein
Jim Young

Testimonials from Chief of Staff of the Army, Gen George Casey, and the Commanding General of U.S. Central Command, Gen David Petraeus, made it abundantly clear that Lace was a soldier’s soldier who, true to our class motto, rendered selfless service with integrity. His steadfast and deep devotion to soldiers was also markedly evident at every turn of the ceremony.

Lace and Gail, you have made us all proud many times over.