'Brave Rifles,' Village of Salado bring holiday cheer with Christmas parade

By Staff Sgt. Michael DatorDecember 10, 2014

'Brave Rifles,' Village of Salado bring holiday cheer with Christmas parade
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A color guard from the 3rd Cavalry Regiment leads marchers through downtown Salado during the Salado Christmas Stroll parade Dec. 4 in downtown Salado, Texas. Participation in the event is part of the regiment's ongoing community relations program wi... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
'Brave Rifles,' Village of Salado bring holiday cheer with Christmas parade
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Members of the 1st Cavalry Division horse detachment wave to residents and bystanders during the Salado Christmas Stroll parade Dec. 4 in downtown Salado, Texas. More than 35 organizations participated in the event to include a color guard and Stryke... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
'Brave Rifles,' Village of Salado bring holiday cheer with Christmas parade
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Students from Salado High School walk down Main Street during the Salado Christmas Stroll Parade held Dec. 4 in downtown Salado, Texas. More than 35 organizations participated in the event, to include a color guard and Stryker from the 3rd Cavalry Re... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

SALADO, Texas - With Christmas just around the corner, Troopers from the 3rd Cavalry Regiment along with the Village of Salado, ushered in a little holiday cheer at the Salado Christmas Stroll Parade Dec. 4 in downtown Salado.

A color guard from the regiment led the procession while Lt. Col. Larry Croucher, the ready detachment commander, waved to the crowd from a Stryker.

"It is critical to we continue to maintain and enduring relationship with our local communities - our Soldiers and their families live in these communities and they become an extension to our Army family," said Croucher. "Participating in events like this are a privilege for us, the support we receive from the community cannot be repaid."

More than 30 other organizations were also in the line-up to include students from each of the schools in the Salado Independent School District, local church and youth organizations, members of the Salado Chamber of Commerce, as well as the 1st Cavalry Division horse detachment and band.

Participation in the event is part of the regiment's ongoing community relations program with the village. The 3rd Cav. Regt. is the city's adopted partner unit, and they hold numerous community events throughout the year together.

"This parade is a great way for us to kick off the holiday season in partnership with our Soldiers in Fort Hood," said Kerry Fillip, event coordinator for the Village of Salado. "The city has a special relationship with 3rd Cavalry Regiment - our residents, especially the children, love seeing Soldiers in military vehicles and on horseback at the parade."

Holiday tunes could be heard from shops and the phrase "Merry Christmas!" were shouted from the mouths of bystanders that lined the parade route going through Salado's main shopping district and ending at the civic center building. The most enthusiastic shouts were reserved for Soldiers in uniform participating in the parade.

"This is my first time I've been in Salado, and it's a wonderful little city, said Staff Sgt. William Parchim, an infantryman assigned to 1st Squadron, "Tiger," 3rd Cav. Regt. "I love the fact that this little town is so friendly toward military servicemembers, and it's great being a part of the special community Salado has to offer."