Ashe County's General assumes command of 2nd Marine Division

By Ron Fitzwater
Many people make their home in the High Country, some of them live here year-round while others are not

able to spend as much time here as they would like.

Such is the case for the new commanding general of the 2nd Marine Division at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

On June 20th, with family and friends looking on, Major General Richard T. Tryon assumed command of the division from Major General Walter E. Gaskin in a ceremony that included more than 6,000 Marines and Sailors.

Assuming command of the division returns Tryon to Camp Lejeune for the first time since his posting as commanding officer of the 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment in 1993.

Tryon began his Marine Corps career in 1975 upon graduation from the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. and has along the way held several vital postings including Commanding Officer Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C.; Commanding General, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Paris Island, S.C.; Commanding Officer, Marine Corps Recruiting Command, Quantico, Va; Deputy Executive Assistant to the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Executive Officer to the Supreme Allied Commander, Europe/Commander, U.S. European Command among others.

Along with the Naval Academy, Tryon is a graduate of the Amphibious Warfare School and the Command and General Staff College. Additionally, Tryon is a graduate of Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies and holds a Master of Arts Degree in International Public Policy and is currently working toward a Masters Degree in Management.

Tryon is a veteran of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm and his personal decorations include: the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.

Tryon has a home in the Three Top Mountain area of Ashe County that he and his wife Diane moved in to just over a year ago. Although getting to it is sometimes difficult for the couple, they do try to make the trip every four to six weeks.

The son of a Soldier, Tryon grew up in an Army family and as with all military kids calls no one place Hometown U.S.A. Diane as well comes from a family that did its share of moving around, so the allure of a place in Ashe County to call home was irresistible.

"My wife and I discovered the Ashe County area about a year-and-a-half ago while prospecting a home in the mountains. We had been looking up and down western North Carolina and over a long weekend we were very fortunate to find a cabin up on Three Top Mountain that we fell in love with instantly. Shortly there after we purchased the cabin and it has been our escape and our refuge over the course of the last 15 months, because we have just fallen in love with the area and the people," Tryon said.

The Tryons have not had a lot of opportunity to become involved with area activities as of yet, due not only to Richard's new duties but also because with limited time in the mountains the process of settling in is still underway for the couple. However, Tryon does have plans for more leisure times to come.

"I like to run and I like to hike and take my dog, a black Labrador Retriever, on long walks when she can keep up with me," Tryon said adding, "and I love to ski."

One of the local events Tryon has been able to participate in came last year when he was invited to be a key speaker at the Ashe County Armed Forces Tribute Day.

"I had a chance to come up and speak to the many great veterans from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard alike, at the Armory and then my family and I went over and spent a great afternoon with everyone," he said.

Tryon is uncertain as to whether duty requirements will allow him to attend the 2008 ACAFT but he is making every attempt to do so.

Along with pride in his new home, Tryon is also extremely proud to now be commanding the Marine Corps' "Follow Me' Division.

"Diane and I feel very comfortable coming back to Camp Lejeune and are both honored and humbled to take the reins of the division. The quality of Marines and Sailors serving in this division today is nothing short of exemplary. These young men and women, all volunteers, are doing an absolutely superb job and in the short time I have had to get around since assuming command to meet and talk with the Marines in the division, I tell you it is just something that makes you feel very proud and awe inspired. They are all volunteers and they all want to be here for the right reasons and it just doesn't get any better than that," he said.

MajGen Tryon and his wife have four children: Kristen, Kathryn, Jay and Kelly and four grandchildren: Matthew, Nicholas, Mary Kate and Garrett.