Chicopee native becomes Marines' latest general

Date: 8/10/2010

Aug. 11, 2010

By G. Michael Dobbs

Managing Editor

CHICOPEE -- Near the grave of his father Rene, a Marine veteran of World War II, Col. Brian Beaudreault officially received his stars noting his promotion to brigadier general on Friday in St. Patrick's Cemetery.

The Chicopee native and 1979 graduate of Chicopee High School will be one of 80 generals in command of the nation's approximately 200,000 Marines, Lt. Gen. Joseph Dunford told the gathering of family and friends.

Dunford said initially the promotion ceremony was planned to be in Washington D.C., but Beaudreault "couldn't have the people there who meant the most to him." The promotion was announced in April.

Instead Dunford, who is about to assume of the position of assistant commandant of the Marine Corps, came to Chicopee.

Dunford said Beaudreault, who has served 27 years in the Marines, was selected not only on the demonstration of competence and integrity but that he has been "tested through his long career."

"You want someone [as general] who is passionate about being a Marine, but also someone who is compassionate about the welfare of individual Marines in his command," Dunford said.

Dunford added the "dirty little secret" of the Marines is while the Corps claims to build individuals of strong character, the people really responsible for that are a Marine's parents. He thanked Beaudreault's mother for "loaning him to us for a few more years."

Beaudreault said this moment of his career was made possible not by just his actions, but the accomplishments of "countless Marines" with whom he served.

"Being an officer is meaningless without the Marines you lead," he said.

Noting why he chose to receive his promotion near his father's resting place, Beaudreault said, "There is no better honor that you can give someone than not to forget."

Beaudreault also thanked his wife, Karen, and sons, Matthew and Zachery, for their support and noted the family has moved 13 times during his time in the Marines. Zachery is in college and Matthew is following in the family tradition of military service and is a lieutenant in the Air Force.

His two sons and his wife took off the eagle pins denoting the rank as colonel and replaced them with the single silver stars of brigadier general.

Dunford noted, "The only regret those in uniform have is the sacrifice you make in regards to the time you spend with your family."

Beaudreault has most recently been serving as the director of the Marine Expeditionary Warfare School in Quantico, Va. He had been the commander of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit in Iraq.

His new assignment will be the deputy commander of Marine Force Central Command.

"I look forward to the challenges ahead," he said.