FORT HOOD, Texas - Throughout Fort Hood, there are many markers noting the sacrifice of fallen heroes. The 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) rededicated its parade field outside of the headquarters Friday to memorialize its own recent fallen, Brig. Gen. Terence J. Hildner.
Hildner was the commanding general of the 13th ESC when he passed away in Kabul, Afghanistan, Feb. 3.
In a ceremony attended by many dignitaries from Fort Hood and its surrounding communities, III Corps and Fort Hood Commanding General Lt. Gen. Don Campbell Jr. said Hildner’s legacy will live on well past his memory.
“From this day forward,” Campbell said, “all who pass this field will know he had a unique relationship and impact on this unit, III Corps and the Army.”
The Hildner Family was in attendance to not only show their support of the 13th ESC’s continued dedication in honor of its former commander, but to witness the unveiling of a plaque mounted in the viewing area of the parade field, representing an everlasting view of a husband, father and friend to countless individuals.
“People say many things about the Soldiers we lose, but the truest statement I can make about Terence Hildner is that he was the consummate professional, the greatest leader a Soldier could have, and a true friend to those he surrounded himself with,” Col. Knowles Atchison, former deputy commander, 13th ESC, said. “I served with Terry for several years. He always instilled the best in me and expected the best out of me. It was the same for him and he always delivered good on his word, whether up the chain (of command) or down to the lowest subordinate. Gen. Hildner knew how to lead and how to take care of Soldiers. It was his passion.”
Many of the soldiers attending the ceremony are still assigned to the 13th ESC, or formerly worked for Hildner. Many in attendance said they appreciated the gesture that Fort Hood and the unit gave in memory of their former commander.
In the future, changes of command, responsibility, deployment and redeployment ceremonies will be conducted over and over on the green grass covering Hildner Field. With each ceremony, the memory of this fallen hero will not be forgotten.