Photo By Capt. Michael Greenberger | Spc. Anthony Woodhurst, assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 1st Squadron,...... read more read more
THERESA, N.Y. – There couldn’t have been a better day for a parade as town residents and Theresa Primary School students joined more than a dozen soldiers from 1st Squadron, 89th Cavalry Regiment, in a parade celebrating Flag Day, June 14.
Flag Day celebrates the day the stars and stripes were chosen as America’s official flag by the Second Continental Congress in 1777. June 14 was first officially designated as Flag Day by former President Woodrow Wilson in 1916 and named National Flag Day in 1949 by the U.S. Congress.
Several units were requested from Fort Drum to support local communities in their celebrations – Theresa was but one of the many opportunities 10th Mountain Division soldiers had to share in the community activities.
In Theresa, throngs of people gathered – most wearing red, white and blue – to both watch and participate in the celebration.
“We’re out here to honor the flag and learn and refresh our brains on what the flag means to everyone,” said John Howard, a carpenter and resident in Theresa County. “These soldiers are very nice, respectful, and well disciplined. Our community really appreciates the soldiers helping honor the flag.”
1-89 Cavalry troopers marched at the head of the day’s parade hoisting the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (LI) colors, along-side the American flag.
“The parade went just as planned,” said Pfc. Kollin Larned, an intelligence analyst with Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 1-89 Cavalry. “Everyone enjoyed our presence and what we brought with us to show the students. I loved being out here in the community interacting with the students. It was fun on all levels and everyone today was having a blast.”
“After the flag at the school was raised we marched to the fallen Soldier memorial in the middle of town where the children gave their speeches and sang patriotic songs,” said Spc. Alexander Culhane, an intelligence analyst with 1-89 Cavalry.
“[To me] the flag means bravery and I am thankful for all the Soldiers who fight to keep us free,” said Melanie Gray during a speech given with three other students at the town’s memorial.
Following the parade, the 1-89 Cavalry vehicle and weapons static display was joined by an Apache Helicopter flown from Wheeler-Sack Army Airfield by aviators from F Company, 1st Battalion, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, providing local residents a look-see at the aircraft that so often fly overhead.
“After lunch the students watched the Apache take off,” Culhane said. “As the Apache flew away the kids started chanting, ‘USA! USA! USA!’ which was pretty cool.”
“Having the group of soldiers was a great experience for the students to have fun and interact with,” said Marlene Durgin, Theresa Primary School principal. “I really liked the cadence calling from the group when we were walking to the memorial and back. This group of soldiers is very well trained and it was an awesome experience for everyone to enjoy.”
Soldiers from 1-89 Cavalry also participated in parades in Evans Mills and Calcium.
More information and photos can be found on the 1-89 Cavalry Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/1-89-CAV-RECON/146651639927.
| Date Taken: | 06.14.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 06.18.2012 21:49 |
| Story ID: | 90215 |
| Location: | THERESA, NEW YORK, US |
| Web Views: | 64 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Fort Drum soldiers help support local Flag Day celebrations, by CPT Michael Greenberger, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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