FORT IRWIN, California - The 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment commemorated its 164th birthday May 19 by honoring its history and momentous achievements with a celebration at the U.S. Army National Training Center at Fort Irwin, Calif.
The 3rd ACR has been a part of the U.S. Army since 1846, when Congress organized the unit as the Regiment of Mounted Riflemen.
"I want all of our Soldiers to have a feel for the legacy and history of the formation that they are a part of," said Col. Reginald Allen, 3rd ACR commander.
The regiment has defended and supported the nation during a majority of the country's wars since the Mexican-American War, and continues to serve the United States as they prepare for their fourth Operation Iraqi Freedom deployment. The regiment will deploy late 2010.
With the regiment's rich history, it may not be surprising to most that there is a great amount of pride among 3rd ACR troops.
"I'm the luckiest colonel in the Army," Allen said. Col. Allen is the 73rd colonel of the regiment. "I feel honored everyday, [this is] best job in the Army bar none."
As the celebration came to an end, many Soldiers looked toward the future of the 3rd ACR with pride and optimism.
"We want to leave a legacy that on our fourth deployment [to Iraq] the regiment continues to serve the nation honorably, that we went to Iraq and supported our Iraqi counterparts and helped them improve," Allen said. "When we leave, there's a big 'X' in the win column for the United States of America; and the [3rd ACR helped]."
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