Gatesville honors service members, families with fish fry

Courtesy Photo | Maj. Gen. Perry Wiggins, left, commanding general of First Army Division West, presents Denise Mooney, president of Gatesville Chamber of Commerce, with a plaque at the Gatesville Chamber of Commerce’s fourth annual Military Appreciation Fish Fry at the Coryell County Activities Complex, March 9. Gatesville held the fish fry to show the community’s gratitude and appreciation to Fort Hood service members and their families. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Tony Foster, Division West Public Affairs)  

GATESVILLE, TX, UNITED STATES

03.12.2012

Courtesy Story

First Army Division West

By Staff Sgt. Tony Foster

GATESVILLE, Texas – The Gatesville Chamber of Commerce hosted its fourth annual Military Appreciation Fish Fry at the Coryell County Activities Complex, here, March 9.

The city of Gatesville designated this event to show thanks for the soldiers, veterans and their families from its neighboring installation of Fort Hood.

“This is the community of Gatesville’s way of showing appreciation to the military and their families for the sacrifices they make every day,” said Carla Manning, military affairs representative for the Gatesville Chamber of Commerce.

Though the fish fry is a happy occasion, it was first held as a result of the horrific November 2009 shooting at Fort Hood when several soldiers lost their lives to an assailant.

Following the tragedy, the Gatesville community provided aid to the soldiers and families of Fort Hood in many ways. One way in particular evolved to be the Military Appreciation Fish Fry held every year since then.

“The fish fry is good,” said Sgt. 1st Class Eldridge Cunningham, supply sergeant with Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, Division West. “It’s been a great time since we’ve been out here in the Gatesville community, and they put on an outstanding show.”

The evening began with a social, during which attendees mingled and conversed. Boy Scout Troop 272 presented the national colors and retired Army chaplain, Rev. Buddy Wheat, gave the invocation.

Maj. Gen. Perry Wiggins, commanding general of First Army Division West, presented the president of the Gatesville Chamber of Commerce, Denise Mooney, with a plaque commemorating the unit’s gratitude for the Chamber’s support. The city of Gatesville and Division West have a long-standing partnership and provide great support to each other’s endeavors.

“I would like to thank you for the opportunity to come out here and break bread and enjoy some great food,” Wiggins said. “I’d like to give our sincere appreciation to you and your citizens for a great partnership.”

Members of the Gatesville Volunteer Fire Department cooked the fish and hushpuppies enjoyed by approximately 350 attendees, of which about 250 were soldiers, retirees, veterans and military family members.

“The food was excellent,” said 1st Sgt. Kelly Kalama, first sergeant of Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, Division West. “The event is great, and the people of Gatesville are very welcoming and make me feel right at home every time I’m here.”

• Date Taken: 03.12.2012
• Date Posted: 03.12.2012 20:16
• Story ID: 85134
• Location: GATESVILLE, TX, US