It was a beautiful day in the neighborhood May 30 as many of Fort Cavazos’ Good Neighbors were given their Phantom blue blazers.
In a ceremony, dozens of Good Neighbors gathered in the East Atrium of III Armored Corps headquarters and were given their honorary blazer as a thanks for their continued support of the Great Place and its Soldiers.
Lt. Gen. Sean C. Bernabe, III Armored Corps and Fort Cavazos commander, said he was inspired during the 4th Infantry Division, also referred to as the “Ivy Division,” change-of-command ceremony he and his wife attended at Fort Carson, Colorado, where all of their Good Neighbors were wearing Ivy green blazers.
He thought the blazers were a powerful statement and felt the Good Neighbors of the Great Place should also have blazers — just in a different color.
“The only problem with the way they were doing it there was the Ivy green,” he said. “Nothing against the Ivy Division. I love the Ivy Division like all the other divisions in the III Armored Corps, but clearly we had to do something that was appropriate for this installation.”
After discovering what the exact shade of Phantom blue is on the Pantone chart the first three Phantom blue blazers were awarded to the three newest Good Neighbors in November 2023 during a ceremony. Now, Bernabe was happy to give the previously named Good Neighbors their Phantom blue blazers and asked they wear them to official events with pride.
“Wear them proudly,” he said. “What we hope to do is inspire others to do like you’ve done. To provide their focus and their energy, their ideas and their love of Soldiers and their families to make sure we remain the community of choice here in Central Texas.”
More than 30 Good Neighbors attended the ceremony and received their blazer, including retired Command Sgt. Maj. Earl Williams, who echoed Bernabe’s sentiments.
“When we come to these functions now everybody will know that we are Good Neighbors, and I think that’s important,” said Williams, who was named a Good Neighbor in 2020. “It will cause other people to want to become Good Neighbors and do things for the Soldiers and their families. And that’s the bottom line — getting the people involved.”
Spouses Clyde and Janice Glosson were named Good Neighbors together in 2006. Clyde served as the garrison commander at the Great Place, and Janice was part of the spouses’ club. They have spent much of their time continuing to support Soldiers and Fort Cavazos families. They both expressed how proud they will be while wearing their new blazers at Fort Cavazos ceremonies and events.
“It’s been an honor to be a Good Neighbor,” Clyde said.
Janice agreed, adding, “And to continue to support Soldiers, to be able to come to ceremonies and support Soldiers any way we can (is an honor).”
Stephanie O’Banion became a Good Neighbor in 2018, and she said receiving the title has been one of the greatest honors of her life.
“You love your military and you serve and you want to do all that you can, and then to be honored back is a very humbling experience,” she said. “It makes you want to do more and encourage others to get involved and give back to our service men and women and their families.”
O’Banion said she was humbled once again, to receive the new blazer and hopes others will be inspired to help the military community.
“Anytime to be able to be with our friends and family out here at III (Armored) Corps is an honor, and the fact that this is something that they’ve chosen to do for us is a real honor, and I’m just humbled,” she said. “I don’t know why I deserve it, but I hope that everyone that has the chance and opportunity to help our military families … here and abroad — take that chance. Take that opportunity to serve.”
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