Photo By Staff Sgt. Michael Dator | Twelve-year-old Matt Stahnke, a sixth-grader at Salado Junior High School, chimes a...... read more read more
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SALADO, Texas - The Village of Salado in partnership with the 3rd Cavalry Regiment hosted its 2nd Annual Freedom Walk Sept. 11 in observance of the National Day of Service and Remembrance in Salado, Texas.
Congress designated Sept. 11 as the National Day of Service and Remembrance in 2009 as an annual tribute to the victims of 9/11 and those who volunteered service in response to the attacks.
Dr. Michael Novotny, superintendent of the Salado Independent School District, gave his opening remarks and thanked the more than 50 ‘Brave Rifles’ attending the event for their continued support and commitment to Salado and our country.
Members of the Salado Junior High School Choir sang a rendition of the national anthem while a color guard from 4th Squadron “Longknife”, 3rd Cav. Regt. presented the national and state flag.
Lt. Col. Larry Croucher, commander of the ready rear detachment spoke to an audience of students from the school district, emergency medical services first-responders, city officials from the community, and members of the Henry T. Waskow Chapter of the Veterans of Foreign Wars out of Belton, Texas. Croucher talked about the importance of events like the “Freedom Walk”, as well as teaching younger generations to appreciate the services and sacrifices made by men and women in uniform each day.
“Today we pause for a brief moment to remember the events that occurred on September 11, 2001 and we remember the great sacrifices that were made on that day and the sacrifices that continue to be made in defense of our country and our freedom,” said Croucher. “Never forget that as we stand here today, thousands of our Soldiers are deployed around the world, standing as guardians of freedom on our behalf.” Soldiers from the 3rd Cav. Regt. are currently deployed to locations throughout the world including Cuba, Egypt, and Afghanistan.
Sixth grader Matt Stahnke, age 12, a student from Salado Junior High School, chimed a bell 13 times to symbolize the number of years that have passed since 9/11 and those present observed a moment of silence in memory of victims that died that day.
The event is part of 3rd Cav. Regt’s ongoing partnership with the Village of Salado. Squadrons from the unit are paired up with each of the schools within the Salado Independent School District. It provides Soldiers with a way to foster friendly relationships and interact with students just outside of the local-area military community. It also gives students a chance to benefit from some of the unique experiences each Trooper has to offer.
“I was really young when terrorists hijacked planes and flew them into the World Trade Center so I didn’t really know what was going on at the time and how the attacks affected our country,” said 17-year-old Mckayla Hodge, a student at Salado High School. “I really appreciate events like the “Freedom Walk” now that I’m older because it gives me a perspective I didn’t have when I was younger – it also gives me a chance to thank Soldiers from Fort Hood for all the hard work they do each day.”
| Date Taken: | 09.11.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 09.16.2014 15:35 |
| Story ID: | 142328 |
| Location: | SALADO, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 35 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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