After four years of service the Corps' personnel said goodbye to the Deputy Commander Headquarters Multinational Corps Northeast Major General Jan Brun Andersen, who has been the longest serving general at the Headquarters Multinational Corps Northeast.
The farewell ceremony took place at the Baltic Barracks on 25th March 2008. The presence of the soldiers from the Danish Royal Life Guards was a reference to the beginnings of the General Andersen’s military career. They initiated the ceremony by playing a melody, which was repeated three times to signal the appearance of a three-star General, the Corps’ Commander. When the ceremony came to an end, they played "The day that I left", which indicates the day when a Danish soldier ends his duty and retires.
General’s first-class jobs
March was the month that marked the beginning of service at the Headquarters Multinational Corps Northeast (HQ MNC NE) for Major General Jan Brun Andersen as well as its ending. It was four years ago, on 29th March 2004, when Danish Major General Jan Brun Andersen started his tour of duty as Deputy Commander HQ MNC NE. During that time the Corps was writing its own story of success. General Andersen was part of that story.
"Thank you for your remarkable effort and influence on the positive development of our proud multinational community, for work and engagement done in this Headquarters" – Commander Headquarters Multinational Corps Northeast Lieutenant General Zdzisław Goral emphasized in his speech the importance of the second in command in the Corps. General Andersen was a key person in planning and developing of the Corps and a driving force for many projects. He significantly contributed to the process of planning and achieving Full Operational Capability (FOC) in 2005. As Deputy Chief of Staff Operations he was the highest representative of MNC NE in the International Security Assistance Force Headquarters (ISAF HQ) in Kabul, Afghanistan. Following the Commander’s words: "…his calm, firm and responsible leadership was one of the towers of strength for the internationally recognized outstanding performance of MNC NE in its mission". For that reasons as well as General’s permanent support and positive attitude, General Andersen was awarded the Corps Medal of Multinational Corps Northeast by the Commander HQ MNC NE. Furthermore, the Commander put forward a motion to award General Andersen the Gold Medal of the Polish Armed Forces.
As this farewell ceremony was probably the last opportunity to give and take a salute for General Andersen who is going to retire, he decided to say more personal and humorous remarks, remarks that he is actually known for. He admitted this farewell was unique since it marked the beginning of civil life for him. When judging the time spent at the Headquarters, he said he was proud of what he and his team achieved. He mentioned passing the Full Operational Capability and going on the ISAF mission to Afghanistan. He emphasized the importance of the teamwork indicating input of others’ work to the benefit of all – "You've made my work easy". General Andersen would not be himself if he did not mention golf, as he is a keen golf player. During those four years he managed to find time to improve his golf skills and to reduce the number of extra strokes. Talking about Szczecin, General Andersen noticed a remarkable development of the city as well as hospitable reception of the Corps by the citizens and authorities of Szczecin.
"I wish the Headquarters all the best from the bottom of my heart, all the best for the future"
Everyone gathered at the farewell ceremony wished General Andersen "good luck" for the future. Quite surprisingly, General’s witty riposte was that it was the Corps' personnel to be wished "good luck" because there would be as many challenges and tasks in the future as during past four years. There is a lot of truth in that, especially if to take into account that General Andersen will not be nearby...
But a bunch of good pieces of advice and good memories will definitely remain. Maybe civilian paths will bring General Andersen back to Szczecin in the future at least with a visit. And maybe the words that General uttered some time ago: "men or perhaps especially soldiers never cry but if there were one opportunity when I should have a tear in my eyes, it would be when I say goodbye to this Headquarters" really found their place in his diary under the date of 25th March.
