Photo By Maj. Brandon Fambro | Maj. Gen. William Ryan III, commander, First Army Division West, was the guest speaker...... read more read more
GATESVILLE, Texas – The City of Gatesville, Gatesville Chamber of Commerce and Chamber of Commerce Foundation, and the Gatesville Volunteer Fire Department hosted the 16th annual Military Appreciation Fish Fry Feb. 23, at the Gatesville Civic Center.
The fish fry is an expression of thanks for the United States Army Reserve and National Guard Soldiers who complete pre-mobilization and de-mobilization training at North Fort Cavazos. The Gatesville community started it to show support following the November 2009 shooting tragedy that took place at Fort Hood (renamed Fort Cavazos on May 9, 2023).
Gary Chumley, Mayor, City of Gatesville, welcomed everyone and provided a brief historical overview of why the City of Gatesville initially started the fish fry.
“Gatesville has taken on the mentality of taking care of Soldiers,” Chumley said. “I was there as a city council member shortly after the shooting in 2009. I came to realize that these brave men and women put their civilian careers on hold and leave their families to serve their country.”
There were over 300 mobilizing and demobilizing Soldiers in attendance. The 34th Infantry Division, a Minnesota based National Guard unit preparing to deploy overseas, transported busloads of Soldiers to attend the fish fry.
Soldiers from III Corps, First Army Division West, 120th Infantry Brigade and the Mobilization Support Brigade were there to support the deploying and demobilizing Soldiers.
“Attending tonight, we have more than 300 great Soldiers from units across Fort Cavazos, with the predominant number coming from mobilized U.S. Army Reserve and National Guard units,” said Maj. Gen. William Ryan III, commander, First Army Division West. “The Soldiers are currently training at North Fort Cavazos for an upcoming deployment and will support our nation across the globe. They serve as deterrence to our adversaries and assurance to our allies that the United States Army is prepared to fight and win when called upon.”
“Most Soldiers currently serving and mobilizing at Fort Cavazos are from another part of our great country, for now they all call central Texas and great communities like Gatesville home. We are also fortunate to be here.”
Ryan also recognized the Gatesville leaders and community for their unceasing succor for the Soldiers who come to Fort Cavazos to train and those stationed here.
“Our Army and Soldiers continue to enjoy tremendous support from the American people we serve, and nowhere is that displayed right here in Central Texas and from our great friends in Gatesville, who love their Soldiers and their Army.”
Carla Manning, military affairs representative, Gatesville Chamber of Commerce Foundation, has participated in the planning and execution of the fish fry since its inception and enjoys hosting and interacting with Soldiers each year.
“I have been involved since the beginning and absolutely love visiting with the Soldiers from all over our great United States,” Manning said. “I love hosting events in our community for them to enjoy. They do something every day that many of us cannot, this is how we show our appreciation and give them a little taste of small-town Texas.”
Manning reflected on how a Soldier with a California based unit was unfamiliar with everything on the menu during a fish fry.
“During one of our fish fry's we had a unit from California and as some of the Soldiers had made it through the line, I asked what they thought? One asked what these are and pointed to his plate where there were about a dozen hush puppies piled on. I told him they were hush puppies. Again, he asked what are those? I explained it was like fried cornbread. He just smiled and enjoyed the hush puppies!”
The Gatesville Volunteer Fire Department seasoned and fried over 300 pounds of catfish. Fried hush puppies, baked beans, coleslaw, salad, tarter sauce, hot sauce, ketchup, soft baked homemade cookies, an assortment of beverages including sweet and unsweetened tea, water, and soft drinks rounded out the menu of items the Soldiers and guests enjoyed at the fish fry.
| Date Taken: | 02.23.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 02.28.2024 15:59 |
| Story ID: | 464911 |
| Location: | FORT CAVAZOS, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 54 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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