Louisiana National Guard joint staff director presents Louisiana National Guard Emergency Service Medal to 3d Cavalry Regiment troopers

Courtesy Photo | Brig. Gen. Thomas C. Friloux (right) pins the Louisiana National Guard Emergency Service Medal on Ltc. Paul Smith’s lapel, Sept. 29, 2021 at Fort Hood, Texas. Smith is the commander of 61st Quartermaster Battalion, 13th Expeditionary Sustainment Command and led the Task Force Truck humanitarian mission in Louisiana. (U.S. Army photo by 1st Lt. Nathan Mumford)  

KILLEEN, TEXAS, UNITED STATES

09.30.2021

Story by Maj. Gabriela Thompson 

3d Cavalry Regiment Public Affairs Office

FORT HOOD, Texas — Earlier today, Brigadier General Thomas C. Friloux, director of the Louisiana National Guard joint staff, presented troopers from Regimental Support Squadron, 3d Cavalry Regiment with the Louisiana National Guard Emergency Service Medal in a ceremony here.

Before pinning the medals to each trooper’s lapel, Friloux thanked the troopers for all of their hard work helping the people of Louisiana recover from the devastation left in Hurricane Ida’s wake.

“I can’t thank you enough…but the things you did for Louisiana in our time of need will never be forgotten,” said Brig. Gen. Friloux, the director of the Louisiana National Guard joint staff.

45 troopers from the Regimental Support Squadron deployed to Thibodaux, Louisiana Sept. 3, joining soldiers from 61st Quartermaster Battalion, 13th Expeditionary Sustainment Command as part of the 180-person Task Force Truck response team.

While deployed, Task Force Truck supported Federal Emergency Management Agency and Defense Security Cooperation Agency relief efforts, providing much-needed aid to the people and communities of Louisiana after Hurricane Ida swept through several parishes, causing extensive damage to the area.

“You stayed in some of the most devastated areas of Louisiana, helping us in our time of need, when most of the Louisiana National Guard was deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq” said Friloux.

3d Cavalry Regiment and Fort Hood leaders were also present at the ceremony and were equally appreciate of their troopers’ outstanding and timely support to the Louisiana community.

“Members of Task Force Truck, thank you for your hard work. I know the people of Louisiana appreciate the effort you poured into the communities,” said Ltc. Octavia Davis, commander of the Regimental Support Squadron. “I know that you went to areas that were hard to traverse, but you got through,” she also said.

The III Corps command sergeant major, Command Sergeant Major Arthur “Cliff” Burgoyne, a native of Slidell, Louisiana began his Army career in the Louisiana National Guard in 1986, and provided similar disaster response support when Hurricane Andrew swept through Louisiana in 1992.

“I did this same thing when Andrew hit. I’ve been there. What you did down there was incredible and I know you ate well while you were there,” Burgoyne said.

Friloux presented over 100 soldiers from 61st Quartermaster Battalion their medals in a separate ceremony, held Sept. 29 here.

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• Date Taken: 09.30.2021
• Date Posted: 09.30.2021 17:15
• Story ID: 406456
• Location: KILLEEN, TEXAS, US