Kirkton, the former Alpha Company, 1st battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment commander, as he spoke during a 2nd
Brigade Combat Team ceremony dedicating a Bradley to two fallen Troopers from 1-5 Cav. on Oct. 14 at Fort
Hood, Texas. VIEW ORIGINAL
during the 2nd Brigade Combat Team ceremony dedicating a Bradley to two fallen Troopers from 1-5 Cav. The
Bradley display is meant to increase awareness and appreciation of the 1st Cavalry Divisions heroes and was
unveiled on Oct. 14 at Fort Hood, Texas. VIEW ORIGINAL
their names inscribed on a Bradley. The Bradley was dedicated on Cooper Field in front of 1st Cavalry Division
Headquarters during a dedication ceremony on Oct. 14 at Fort Hood, Texas. VIEW ORIGINAL
Cav. commander, unveil the names of Pfc. Arden Cooper and Sgt. Ronald Randazzo that are inscribed on a Bradley
that rests on Cooper Field in front of 1st Cavalry Division Headquarters during a dedication ceremony on Oct. 14 at
Fort Hood, Texas. VIEW ORIGINAL
2nd Brigade Combat Team hosted a dedication ceremony to two fallen Troopers from 1st battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment on Oct. 14 at Fort Hood, Texas.
“It really goes with the Army ethics, the warrior ethos, which is we never leave a fallen comrade,” began Maj. Gen. John B. Richardson IV, 1st Cavalry Division commanding general. “We will always keep all of our Troopers in our mind and our heart, and we will always remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice.”
Sgt. Ronald M. Randazzo, a vehicle commander from Glen Burie, Md., and Pfc. Ardon B. Cooper, an infantryman from Seattle, Wash., two Troopers from Alpha Company, 1-5 Cav, were killed in action when their vehicle was hit by enemy fire on Feb. 20, 1991, during Operation Desert Storm.
The Troopers were honored during the ceremony by having their names and their vehicles bumper number, A-51, inscribed on a Bradley that will be displayed on Cooper Field alongside a variety of displays which honor the division’s rich history. The displays are meant to increase awareness and appreciation among newer members of the First Team for the division’s heroes.
“Pfc. Cooper and Sgt. Randazzo are the embodiment of service and self-sacrifice,” said retired Lt. Col. Mike Kirkton, the former Alpha Company, 1-5 Cav. commander, as he spoke during the ceremony.
“And our fallen comrades stepped up and met the danger with their lives for a noble purpose.”
Kirkstone was joined by other members of 1-5 Cav., veterans and families.
Col. C.J Kirkpatrick, 2nd Brigade Combat Team commander, said that he hopes junior Troopers who attend will understand the importance of honoring the service members who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our future.
The ceremony was followed by the formal activation of Delta Troop, 5th Cavalry Regiment as the Brigade’s Armored Cavalry Troop.
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