COLLEGE STATION, Texas - Maj. Gen. Paul Calvert, 1st Cavalry Division commanding general, along with Soldiers from 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team "Greywolf," participated in the inaugural "Texas Weekend of Remembrance," in College Station May 26-27.
The city coordinated the event to honor those servicemen and women who made the ultimate sacrifice. It included an opening ceremony, military equipment displays provided by the Greywolf brigade as well as concerts and sporting events.
Calvert spoke during the opening ceremony for the weekend-long event. He reflected on the stories of Soldiers who have died in service to the country, including Army Lt. Jeremy Ray with whom Calvert had served in 2007 while with the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment.
"We must remember, it is our responsibility to remember. Beginning with the eight members of the Lexington militia losing their lives in the first battle of the American Revolution and nearly 1.2 million service members; Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen who made the ultimate sacrifice since then," he said. "Their lives depict American courage, defend American's freedoms and create American legacy."
The opening ceremony included a parachute jump, a 21-gun salute by members of the Texas A&M University Ross Volunteers, and the placing of wreaths at the veteran's memorial.
Throughout the weekend, kids and adults alike had the chance to meet with Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, and 2nd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment. They got to learn a little more about the combat vehicles they operate, and the daily life of a Soldier.
"We're proud to be a part of this," said Maj. Noble Wonsetler, operations officer for 1-12 Cav. "Anytime we can support those who support us, and we get great support from the Central Texas and Bryan, College Station community-we jumped at the chance."
The brigade transported the vehicles with help from the 96th Transportation Company, 553rd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division Sustainment Brigade on the Thursday before the event. They set-up on Friday and returned to Fort Hood on the following Monday. Despite working over the holiday weekend, the Soldiers involved all agreed that it was something they would remember.
"The Soldiers involved took a lot away from the event," Wonsetler said. "A lot of the visitors commented about how great it was to hear first-hand from the Soldiers and it energized us to show off what we do on a daily basis and have it so positively received."
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