First Team shows off capabilities at Baylor

By Staff Sgt. Tomora ClarkNovember 17, 2015

First Team shows off capabilities at Baylor
1 / 10 Show Caption + Hide Caption – During the halftime presentation, members of the 1st Cavalry Division Band perform with the bands from Baylor University and Oklahoma University while Soldiers from the 1st Cav. Div. display a U.S. shaped American Flag. Soldiers from across the First... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
First Team shows off capabilities at Baylor
2 / 10 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The 1st Cavalry Division Band takes their place on the field to join bands from Oklahoma University and Baylor to perform the National in McLane Stadium at Waco, Texas, Nov. 14. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Julie Wallace-Myles, 1st ACB PAO, 1st Cav... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
First Team shows off capabilities at Baylor
3 / 10 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Retired Lt. Gen. Pete Taylor (left), and Maj. Gen. Michael Bills, commanding general, 1st Cavalry Division, stand on field as they are recognized for their service during the Baylor vs. Oklahoma University game in McLane Stadium at Waco, Texas, Nov. ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
First Team shows off capabilities at Baylor
4 / 10 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
First Team shows off capabilities at Baylor
5 / 10 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
First Team shows off capabilities at Baylor
6 / 10 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Sgt. 1st Class Mario Cavasos (center), a 3d Cavalry Regiment Trooper, talks about the capabilities of a Stryker to Baylor University football fans outside of McLane stadium in Waco, Texas, Nov. 14. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Erik Warren, 3d Cavalry Reg... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
First Team shows off capabilities at Baylor
7 / 10 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The 3rd Cavalry Regiment Troopers stand behind an ESPN interview outside Baylor University's football stadium before the game against Oklahoma University at Waco, Texas, Nov. 14. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Erik Warren, 3d Cavalry Regiment Public Affair... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
First Team shows off capabilities at Baylor
8 / 10 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The 1st Cavalry Division Band plays the Army Song while marching past Baylor University's McLane Stadium in Waco, Texas, Nov. 14. The parade ended with mounted troopers from the Horse Cav. Detachment and was broadcast nationally on ESPN College GameD... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
First Team shows off capabilities at Baylor
9 / 10 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
First Team shows off capabilities at Baylor
10 / 10 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Maj. Gen. Michael Bills (left), 1st Cavalry Division's commanding general, holds hands with Cora Pearcy (center) and retired Lt. Gen. Pete Taylor as they walk out on the 50-yard line of McLane Stadium at Waco, Texas, for the official coin toss during... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

WACO, Texas- Traffic slowed to a stop just off of Interstate 35 as people flocked to exit 335B. With lights blaring at the nearby football stadium, four military aircraft soared overhead.

The 1st Cavalry Division Band marched to the 50-yard mark and played the national anthem.

Maj. Gen. Michael Bills, commanding general, 1st Cav. Div., walked onto the field escorted by 6-year-old Cora Pearcy and retired Lt. Gen. Pete Taylor to meet the quarterbacks of each opposing team and the referees.

They officiated the coin toss, and upon their exit off of the field, the crowd cheered in a loud, thunderous roar.

It was officially game time.

As part of Fort Hood's Veterans Day celebration, the First Team showcased the Army's capabilities at McLane Stadium here Nov. 14 during the Baylor versus Oklahoma University game.

The community relations mission helped link football fans in the area to Troopers from the First Team that they might not have met otherwise.

This effort commemorated veterans of past and present conflicts and marked the 50th anniversary of the division's contributions in the Vietnam War.

"On Nov. 11, we just celebrated Veteran's Day; this is a great opportunity for us to share with Baylor not only the holiday, but also to recognize all of the great Soldiers currently serving as well," said Bills.

Parked at the front entrance of the stadium were two Strykers for any football-goer to step inside and envision life as a Trooper.

"This was the first time I saw a Stryker, other than on T.V.," said Abigail Jamison, a Waco, Texas, native. "I'm really impressed by the capabilities of it."

During the event, Troopers in attendance interacted with football fans of all ages.

"The Army personnel here didn't just talk to me, they also spoke to my children; my kids absolutely loved talking to the Soldiers," said Jamison. "They asked all kinds of questions about the military vehicles and even tried on some of the equipment

Sgt. Shadrack Cummings, an infantryman with Eagle Troop, Sabre Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Regiment, said interacting with the local citizens was a blast.

"I think that the civilians who came out here liked seeing the Strykers - especially the kids," said Cummings. "I believe everyone had a good time getting in and out of the Strykers."

Building a strong partnership with communities across Texas was the ultimate goal of First Team's efforts, said Bills.

"Getting the message out beyond the 50-mile radius of Fort Hood itself is of the utmost importance," Bills said. "We used this event as a great opportunity to share our experiences and build a lasting relationship with the central Texas area."