Community

Boyle attends historic change of command ceremony

From left, Major General Sheryl E. Gordon, Governor Kay Ivey, Charlotte Boyle

Atmore resident Charlotte Boyle attended the Adjutant General Change of Command Ceremony July 28, at the Alabama National Guard Joint Forces Headquarters in Montgomery.

Boyle is active in the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a Department of Defense program, established to promote cooperation and understanding between employers and service members.

Change of Command is memorable in its right, but this ceremony was particularly historic because the new adjutant general is a woman – Major General Sheryl E. Gordon.

In her remarks at the ceremony, Governor Kay Ivey said, “Sometimes, you know, the best man for a job is a woman.”

The outgoing Adjutant General, Major General Perry G. Smith, served from January 2011 to July 2017. He passed the colors to the governor to indicate his retirement. Gov. Ivey, as Commander in Chief of the Alabama National Guard, passed the colors to Major General Gordon, who assumed command August 1.