Photo By Sgt. Suzanne Carter | U.S. Army Capt. Douglas Manly looks on as two young boys attempt to adjust the...... read more read more
HOUSTON - Texas Army National Guard soldiers from the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 72nd Brigade Special Troops Battalion in Houston, and from Bravo Battery, 1st Battalion, 133rd Field Artillery Regiment in Port Arthur, Texas, participated in the Houston Rodeo and Livestock Show Armed Forces Appreciation Day at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013.
Service members in uniform and their families received free admission to the rodeo and livestock show along with a barbecue lunch during the appreciation day, which gave rodeo-goers an opportunity to meet service members, as well as, a chance to learn more about military service.
“It’s actually nice because they come and say thank you,” Spc. Enrique Guzman, an artilleryman from Bravo Battery, said about visitors. “They appreciate (our service).”
When asked about the impact of having and participating in a day to celebrate military service, military police officer Staff Sgt. Toni Deason of HHC 72nd BSTB said, “Morale.”
“It’s important mostly because our families are out here,” Deason continued. “They support us on a daily basis. Even citizens that we don’t know support us on a daily basis, and it’s important for them to understand what we do and how we interact with society.”
The soldiers from HHC 72nd BSTB brought an Armored Safety Vehicle and Bravo Battery, a High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle, “Humvee,” and a 105 mm howitzer cannon for rodeo attendees to learn about the capabilities of National Guard units.
“We’re trying to expose people to the Guard,” said Capt. Douglas Manly, Bravo Battery commander, “and let them know we’re here and that we support their community.”
Throughout the day, children and adults alike lined up to get an inside look at the ASV, waiting their turn to sit inside the turret and see what the controls are like.
“I was very curious as to what those vehicles looked like on the inside,” said Carol Pawelek of Richmond, Texas. “I got a very detailed look.”
Deason said she enjoyed watching the kids explore the vehicles and equipment.
“It’s a lot of hands on,” she said. “They can get in there. They can play with the turret - see the multiple different devices in there. Their eyes get all lit up, and it’s fun to watch.”
Pawelek said it’s moments like these that will stick with young people when they’re preparing to make important choices later in life.
“They’re going to remember what they did today when the time is right,” she said. “It’s important to keep the military tradition alive and strong because it’s what keeps us safe and keeps our freedom intact.”
| Date Taken: | 02.27.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 03.01.2013 17:01 |
| Story ID: | 102790 |
| Location: | HOUSTON, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 204 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Soldiers share military experience at Houston rodeo, by SGT Suzanne Carter, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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