FORT HOOD, Texas - The 1st Cavalry Division's command team engaged community leaders across central Texas during May and June, with the goal of re-establishing old connections, educating area leaders on 1st Cav. Div. operations, and thanking the cities and towns for their support.
Maj. Gen. Michael Bills, 1st Cav. Div. commander; Brig. Gen. Douglas Gabram, deputy commander - support, and Col. Viet Luong, deputy commander - maneuver, briefed members of respective Central Texas Chambers of Commerce in Copperas Cove, Harker Heights, Georgetown, Salado, Temple and Killeen.
"It's been a great opportunity for me and the First Team staff to reconnect with our valued community leaders," said Maj. Gen. Michael Bills, commander, 1st Cavalry Division. "We have met and spoke with some of the area's finest civil leaders, and we look forward to the partnerships we will continue to develop."
Briefings included an overview of the 1st Cavalry Division and where the unit is currently operating around the globe, background information about Fort Hood, and an overview on some of the Army's overall priorities as outlined by Chief of Staff of the Army, Gen. Raymond T. Odierno.
"We are thrilled that you are here," said Georgetown Chamber of Commerce President Karen Sheldon to Luong, the deputy commander for maneuver, and his staff June 24.
Sheldon said she is seeing more Soldiers move to Georgetown as the population there grows, and she said that it was good to get some perspective on how the Army, Fort Hood and the First Team operate.
"It's nice to know a little more about Fort Hood and the Soldiers stationed there," Sheldon said. "It's been a great visit, and we look forward to a continued relationship."
Georgetown is roughly 40 miles from Fort Hood, but travel to and from is relatively quick due to new construction between the two locales.
Luong said he and the 1st Cav. Div. are excited to build on the past relationship with Georgetown.
"It is good that we are reconnecting," Luong said. "It's important that we maintain these positive relationships with our community."
Some area leaders attending the respective meetings included mayors, fire department chiefs, business leaders, and chamber of commerce members and their presidents.
Follow-ups to the chamber meetings are in the works, and the division in connection with III Corps plan to offer tours of some of the installation, with demonstrations to be set with the Horse Cavalry Detachment. Currently, the 1st Cav. Div. has a number of units that are sponsors to schools in the surrounding communities.
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