125th salutes new commander

By KURT NESBITT

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- The thunderous cannon fire at the New Ulm Armory Saturday afternoon saluted the new commander of the Army unit that inhabits that fortress-like structure.

The Civil War-era cannon, prepared and fired by the New Ulm Battery, was a part of a change of command ceremony as Lt. Col. Paul Conery took command of the headquarters battery of the First Battalion of the Army's 125th Field Artillery following the ceremony.

Conery replaced Col. Bruce Jensen, who commanded the 125th for two years. Conery was formerly the operations officer for the 34th Infantry Division's artillery headquarters in Brooklyn Park, a suburb north of Minneapolis.

Conery was born, raised and still lives in Blaine, which is near Brooklyn Park. He joined the Air Force after he graduated from high school and was persuaded by a buddy to sign up for the Army National Guard. He has served in the National Guard for 22 years.

Now, 22 years later, Conery is the commanding officer of his own unit for the first time. He knew about the transfer three months ago while he was still deployed on a mission in Kosovo.

"It's something you work for and it's something you strive for," he said of the change.

Conery said safety and taking care of his soldiers and their families are two things that he wants to continue as the new C.O. of the 'One-Two-Five.'

"I'd say he deserves it, naturally," quips his son, Nathan, who is a high school sophomore in Blaine.

The ceremony began at 2 p.m. Saturday. Many commanding officers in the National Guard spoke during the event, including Conery; Jensen; Col. John Kreye, the division artillery commanding officer and Brig. Gen. Jon Trost. Representatives of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and New Ulm city government were also on hand. About 100 people attended the ceremony.

Now that Conery has taken command of the battery, Jensen is headed for Conery's old neighborhood. He became the executive officer of the 34th's division artillery -- DIVARTY -- on the same day Conery assumed his position with the 125th.

Like Conery, Jensen joined the Army many years ago and served in New Ulm once before he took command two years ago. He was in charge of the headquarters battalion during its deployment to the Army base in Italy while active-duty troops were fighting in Iraq. He received the Meritorious Service Award for his service to the battalion during the ceremony.

"It's mixed emotions as with any other kind of attachment to people and your job," he said. "I'm saddened but I'm looking forward to other challenges and moving forward and accomplishing other things."

Before he returned to New Ulm, Jensen was the battalion commander for Army units in Olivia and Appleton.

"It's time to say 'goodbye'," Jensen said. "That's what today was all about."

Kurt Nesbitt can be contacted at knesbitt@nujournal.com.