Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Kelvin Ringold | Members of the 57th ESB’s color guard prepare to attach the Texas flag in...... read more read more
BELTON, Texas — Soldiers from 57th Expeditionary Signal Battalion, 11th Signal Brigade, participated in the annual Flagpole Ceremony at Tarver Elementary School Nov. 6.
The Flagpole Ceremony originated eight years ago when the Belton Rotary Club dedicated a flagpole in front of the school for its inaugural event.
With a large population of the school’s attendees and staff having some sort of military connection, the flagpole was a perfect opportunity for them to honor that bond.
“The school wanted a patriotic way to honor our veterans,” said Michelle Tish, principal, Tarver Elementary School.
The ceremony is usually held earlier in the year, but the school wanted to have it a little later this year.
“This year we moved it from September to November to be closer to Veterans Day,” Tish said.
When Lt. Col. David Gill, battalion commander, and Command Sgt. Maj. Maurice Greening, 57th ESB, were approached about the ceremony, there was no hesitation in giving support to their adopted school.
“I think it’s good for Soldiers to get off of Fort Hood and interact with the surrounding community,” Gill said.
The units on Fort Hood get the opportunity to sponsor a school in the community and it is a mission in which the 11th Sig. Bde. takes great pride.
It’s a good opportunity to volunteer and give back to the community the unit is a part of,” Gill said.
The 57th ESB color guard team, led by Staff Sgt. Erica Mitchell, platoon sergeant, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 57th ESB, marched up to the flag pole, unfolded the American and Texas flags and ran them up the flagpole.
“I have done color guard at numerous events in previous units,” Mitchell said. “I just absolutely love drill and ceremony.”
After the flags were raised, the students sang patriotic songs and the faculty read inspirational verses.
As the morning concluded, it proved to be a great way of showing everyone that the students, teachers and parents appreciated those in the military.
“I’d like to thank our past and present military service members for what you do,” Tish said. “We truly appreciate what you do for us,” she added.
As the teachers and students retreated indoors to continue the academic day, the Soldiers had time to reflect on the morning’s events.
Mitchell said it’s always an amazing feeling to be able to assist and inspire children.
“The children see the Soldiers in their uniform and their little faces light up. It feels good to be a positive influence on them.”
| Date Taken: | 11.06.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 11.13.2014 10:00 |
| Story ID: | 147698 |
| Location: | BELTON, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 49 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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