CAMP SWIFT, TEXAS - Thirteen Army National Guard soldiers participated in a re-enlistment ceremony here March 6.
The soldiers, part of 3rd Battalion, 141st Infantry (72nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team), participated in the event, marking both the conclusion of their unit's annual training, and the anniversary of the Battle of the Alamo.
Col. Mark Campsey, 72nd IBCT commander, presided over the ceremony and led Soldiers in their oath to continue to defend their country against all enemies both foreign and domestic on this day of remembrance.
Lt. Col. Joachim Strenk, commander of the 3rd Battalion, looked on proudly as each Soldier repeated the oath. "We have been at Camp Swift for two weeks in preparation for deployment this fall and this is the last day of our annual training. I am excited that we could do this today. The importance of this day is tremendous. We are keeping our military family strong with the continuation of service of these 13 Soldiers."
Staff Sgt. Benito Contreras, Retention Non-Commissioned Officer for the 3rd Battalion, was the coordinator of the event and echoed LTC Strenk's enthusiasm.
"While the Soldiers had signed their contracts the previous month before coming to Camp Swift, it seemed appropriate to do the ceremony today as a way of giving homage to those who came before us," said Contreras.
Sgt. Contreras, demonstrating his knowledge of unit history, used the opportunity to share the connection each Soldier has to Texas heritage.
Contreras noted that the 141st is the only regiment in the Army that carries the battle streamers of the Republic of Texas. The 141st traces its origins to the Texas Revolution with Company A, First Texas, in 1836, and other infantry companies of the First Texas that formed in the 1870s and 1880s.
When the Mexican forces marched on San Antonio de Bexar on Feb. 23, 1836, they initiated a siege of the Texan forces garrisoned at the Alamo Mission. The settlers held out until the early morning hours of March 6, 1836, when the Mexican army launched their attack. The outnumbered Texans were able to fend off two attacks but the third proved to be their downfall. While in the end the Texans fell, when they went down, it was while giving the battle cry 'Remember the Alamo'.
"If you didn't notice it before now," said Staff Sgt. Contreras, "let me point out that there are 13 of you swearing in today. I find it appropriate that on this day of remembrance there is the same number of people as the number of days the battle of the Alamo lasted. Each of you should take pride in having something in common with those great men."
Col. Campsey also referenced the events of 1836 in his remarks. "Just as the men that fought at the Alamo were part-time Soldiers and full-time family men who stood side-by-side to fend off tyranny and fight for their beliefs in a free land, so you stand here before me today. I just want to thank you all for doing this. You know, you and your families are the key to keeping us strong. The National Guard is not just about Soldiers. You are here only with the support of your loved ones. Your wives and children, your parents, brothers and sisters. They make this possible and I want to thank you and them for what you have here done today."
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