Families, community celebrate Molly Pitcher Day

Photo By Staff Sgt. Keith Anderson | Lt. Col. Douglas Hayes, commander, 1st Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment “Dragons,” 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, welcomes community members and families to the battalion’s artillery live fire demonstration May 2 at the Cold Springs Multipurpose Range Complex, to witness Paladin crews firing 155 mm high explosive rounds. “Molly Pitcher Day is an opportunity for us in the Artillery community to take time to celebrate our history and share what it is that makes Artillery the ‘King of Battle,’” said Hayes. “I think it gives families and community members an appreciation of what our Soldiers do on a weekly basis.”  

FORT HOOD, TX, UNITED STATES

05.02.2015

Story by Staff Sgt. Keith Anderson 

1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division

FORT HOOD, Texas – Families and community members got a glimpse into Army Artillery May 2 during a traditional event Cold Springs Multipurpose Range Complex to celebrate an Artillery legend and famous military spouse.

Attendees to the Molly Pitcher Day celebration got to step inside the M109A6 Paladin 155 mm artillery system, a M2A3 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle, a M998A2 Ammunition Carrier, an ANTPQ-36 Firefinder Radar, and many other specialized tactical vehicles and equipment used by the Artillery during Molly Pitcher Day, hosted by 1st Battalion, 82 Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division.

After walking through a display of Artillery vehicles and small arms, attendees were bused to Cold Springs Multipurpose Range Complex, to witness Paladin crews firing 155 mm high explosive rounds.

“Molly Pitcher Day is an opportunity for us in the Artillery community to take time to celebrate our history and share what it is that makes Artillery the ‘King of Battle,’” said Lt. Col. Douglas Hayes, commander, 1-82 FA. “I think it gives families and community members an appreciation of what our Soldiers do on a weekly basis.”

Staff Sgt. Ismael Mendoza attended the Molly Pitcher Day with his wife Erika, his son James and his daughter Jasmin so they could see what he is up to when he leaves the house each day.

“My family has never seen a live fire so I brought them with me to experience what I do,” said Mendoza, who just arrived to Fort Hood.

“It’s pretty amazing how the tanks shake after the explosion, and how loud it is,” said Mendoza.

Spc. Adrian Williams, a gunner in one of the Paladins during the demonstration, said he was proud to get to participate in the demonstration.

“I’m glad to be out here,” said Williams, a native of Ocala, Florida. “My daughter, Zyri, always asks what I do and she got to come out today and see me.”

According to Artillery legend, Mary Hays, nicknamed Molly Pitcher, was the wife of an American artilleryman during the Revolutionary War, and a part of a patriotic group of women who volunteered to carry water from nearby springs to American Soldiers on the battlefield.

In the summer of 1778, during the Battle of Monmouth, scorching heat began to sideline men and cannons. At the height of battle, the American cannon fire began to falter. Although her husband was among the wounded, Mary picked up a ramrod and joined the undermanned cannon crew, allowing the gun to resume firing upon the enemy.

Mary played a crucial role in the war, putting service before her own safety. Her selfless service highlighted the importance of military spouses, and is still an example today.

For visitors to the event, Molly Pitcher Day brought them closer to the Artillery Soldiers and gave them a better understanding of what Artillery is about.

“There’s just a lot of work, a lot of training, a lot of sacrifice,” said Elaine Quinne. “If you don’t come out to events like these, it’s just what you see on TV and it’s not real.”

• Date Taken: 05.02.2015
• Date Posted: 05.06.2015 17:43
• Story ID: 162488
• Location: FORT HOOD, TX, US