Photo By Sgt. Lyca Williams | Brig. Gen. Robert G. Born, the 1st Cavalry Division deputy commanding general of...... read more read more
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Fort Cavazos, Texas — Troopers, families, and veterans gathered to celebrate the 103rd anniversary of the 1st Cavalry Division with a week filled with competitions, camaraderie, and tributes to its rich heritage.
Service members from the Division's seven brigades took a break from their daily duties to participate in events that fostered teamwork and strengthened bonds within their units. The week commenced with a moment of silence on Cooper Field to honor those affected by the September 11, 2001, attacks.
Brig. Gen. Robert G. Born, the 1st Cavalry Division deputy commanding general of maneuver, addressed the formation, emphasizing the importance of remembrance and the value of forging strong relationships with fellow troopers. Born then led the "First Team" in a division run.
"As we execute this run, think about the 1st Cavalry Division, and if things get a little tough out there, think about those amazing first responders," Born said. "They gave their last full measure."
Throughout the week, troopers competed in various events, including football, bowling, dodgeball, and a golf scramble. Each competition contributed to the final score, with only one battalion able to claim the Commander's Cup, making every event crucial for victory.
"I like the team-building aspect of everything, where as a team, we do things together and compete together," said Spc. Pasquale Latini, a mechanic from the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team. "There's the possibility that we fight together too, so team building is one of the most important things in our organization."
On September 15, in honor of the Division's 103rd birthday, battalion command teams from across the "First Team" competed in a command team competition. The celebration continued with a cake-cutting ceremony in front of the Division, where the oldest and youngest troopers used a cavalry saber to slice the cake.
The week concluded with an award ceremony recognizing the winning unit, 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, which took home the Commander's Cup.
Additionally, two "First Team" veterans, Command Sgt. Maj. (Ret.) Philip Johndrow and Chief Warrant Officer Four Jay Helm, were inducted into the Hall of Legends and received their yellow jackets.
Each year, the 1st Cavalry Division honors its history, from its origins as a mounted unit and its years as an air assault division, to its current role as a combined arms division.
"103 years ago, there was an idea at Fort Bliss, Texas: to take all of the cavalry regiments and form a division. After that, we became the First Team," Born said. "As you can see by the number of colors that are cased, we still stand on the edge of freedom, reassuring our allies, deterring aggression, and it is the responsibility of the First Team members today to honor that legacy and forge our own legacy."
| Date Taken: | 09.13.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 09.18.2024 06:07 |
| Story ID: | 481099 |
| Location: | FORT CAVAZOS, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 31 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Charging Forward: Celebrating the Cav’s Legacy, by SGT Alex Romey, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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