WACO, Texas--For the past few years, the men and women of the 4th Sustainment Brigade, 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) have worked tirelessly within the local communities volunteering their time to help those in need, mentoring children in their adopted schools, and building strong bonds with community leaders.
Recently, one of these relationships has been further strengthened and a select few Wrangler Soldiers have been enjoying the benefits by attending basketball games at Baylor University.
Sgt. Cynthia Landin, a native of Compton, Calif., and an automated logistical specialist with the 289th Quartermaster Company, 553rd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion was one of the lucky few, along with her Family, chosen to represent the men and women of the Wrangler Brigade as a guest during a Baylor Bears game.
"The experience was awesome, I've never done anything like that before and to do it with my Family was better than I could've imagined. The kids were so excited," said Landin.
Landin and her three children, Kaitlin 9, Nicholas 7, and Jude 4, were picked up at Fort Hood and driven to Baylor University for a behind the scenes tour, free T-shirts, and courtside seats to watch the Bears play against the University of Kansas, a once in a lifetime experience they will never forget.
Over the past couple of seasons, the Baylor Bears Men's Basketball Team has been wreaking havoc on the Big 12 Conference and the NCAA causing countless upsets and quickly establishing itself as a national powerhouse.
"The kids were so psyched. They loved every minute of it, especially the healing room," said Landin. "To see the game that close was a really cool experience, I've never imagined myself doing anything like that."
During the visit, Landin and her Family were introduced to several of the players, coaching staff, and athletic department personnel before taking their seats for the game.
Out on the court the Baylor players, some of which the Landin children recognized from earlier, were proving a tough adversary for the higher ranked Jayhawks and were matching them point for point through much of the first half.
As the first half ticked away, Landin and her Family were escorted to a location behind one of the baskets in order to go out on the court during a time out.
"It was refreshing to see that the community still cares about the Army," said Landin as she described her feelings when 8,000 fans were clapping and cheering for her and her Family and the many sacrifices military families go through on a daily basis.
As they stood out on the court, a previously recorded video from Landin's Battalion Commander and Command Sergeant Major played on the big screens introducing her to the Bear Nation and highlighted some of her achievements in the Army.
"Here you are, in the middle of this court and people are cheering for you and the Army," said Landin. "And even afterwards people were still coming up to me and shaking my hand thanking me for my service, and I would tell them it's my honor to serve this Country," she added.
The idea of honoring Soldiers from the 4th Sustainment Brigade came from the Baylor Men's Basketball head coach Scott Drew, who took his players to Fort Hood last year and were given a guided tour by the Wrangler Brigade.
"Baylor Men's Basketball is honored to build on our partnership with Ft. Hood. We have so much respect and appreciation for the men and women that serve our country, and it is our sincere privilege to give back to those that give so much for us," said Drew.
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