Photo By Staff Sgt. Jason Thompson | Command Sgt. Maj. Terry D. Burton, senior enlisted leader for the 13th Sustainment...... read more read more
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FORT HOOD, Texas - The Soldiers of the 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) took a break from their busy operational schedule to celebrate the unit’s 49th birthday and remember its fallen Sept. 25-26.
Thursday, the 13th Corps Support Command (COSCOM) Association hosted the Brig. Gen. Terry Hildner Memorial Golf Tournament at the Clear Creek Golf Course and the annual 13th COSCOM Association Alumni Dinner in Killeen.
On Friday, the unit and the association hosted a Wreath Laying Ceremony at the 13th SC(E) Memorial at Hildner Field, followed by a cake cutting at the 13th SC(E) Chapel.
During the ceremony, Brig. Gen. Rodney D. Fogg and Command Sgt. Maj. Terry D. Burton, the command team for 13th SC(E), along with Robert Crouch, president of the 13th COSCOM Association, laid a wreath at the memorial wall which carries the names of 110 Soldiers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice while with the 13th SC(E).
“This memorial stands as a tribute to the 110 Soldiers of the 13th COSCOM/13th Sustainment Command who have fallen in a combat zone since 9/11/2001,” said Crouch during his speech following the wreath laying. “It has been said, the sun has not set on Central Texas since 9/11 without a Soldier of the 13th being deployed in harm’s way, somewhere in the world. Unfortunately, Soldiers of the 13th SC(E) have also paid the price of freedom since the very start of the war on terror.”
After the ceremony, Fogg spoke of how the memorial is not only a solemn reminder of the Soldiers who have fallen, but also a representation of the hard work and determination of the Soldiers within the 13th SC(E) to accomplish their missions.
“These men and women volunteered to serve our country, already knowing that they would be called to deploy in harm’s way, this is but a small token of our appreciation for their service,’” said Fogg. “We’re here today to think about and honor the legacy of these Soldiers and their sacrifices in service to our country.”
The 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) was activated at Ford Hood as the 13th Support Brigade in September 1965. As the nation's involvement in Vietnam was increasing, this brigade was formed and tasked with training technical services units to assume combat service support missions in Southeast Asia.
The command continued to evolve due to increased missions and changing roles, and, along with similar units, was redesignated as the 13th Support Command (Corps) in 1980, then as the 13th COSCOM in March 1989. As part of Army Transformation, the 13th SC(E) was lastly reflagged in its current configuration Feb. 16, 2006.
The command’s primary missions are to provide command and control of assigned, attached and operational control units, and to plan for and provide sustainment (supply, maintenance, and field services), distribution, and health service support for full spectrum operations.
Overall, the events of the week, culminating with the memorial rededication ceremony, were an opportunity for the Soldiers of 13th SC(E) to break from their standard routines and missions to reflect on the lineage of the unit and also pay respect to their fallen comrades.
Although the command did not add any additional names to the memorial wall this year, the command was struck by tragedy when three Soldiers from the 4th Sustainment Brigade and 1st Medical Brigade were killed in a shooting on Fort Hood in April. Crouch said the 13th COSCOM Association has plans to add a special memorial on site to be dedicated during the 13th SC(E)’s 50th birthday week ceremony in 2015.
“With most of the 4th Sust. Bde. deployed this year, we wanted to wait until they were able to return home and then we could memorialize their fallen comrades,” said Crouch. “It’s going to be a special occasion for all of us involved.”
| Date Taken: | 09.26.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 09.30.2014 11:27 |
| Story ID: | 143759 |
| Location: | FORT HOOD, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 56 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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