Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Tomora Nance | Atop his Stryker, a Trooper with 2nd Squadron “Sabre,” 3d Cavalry Regiment talks...... read more read more
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HOUSTON – With rain trickling down from a light gray sky, chants of “Go Army!” echoed across Rice Stadium from fans cheering on the U.S. Military Academy Black Knights football team as they played against the Rice University Owls, Oct. 24.
However, the game wasn’t the only attraction that caught the fans’ attention, as Troopers from the 3d Cavalry Regiment and the 1st Air Cavalry Brigade had fans of their own at Saturday’s NCAA game.
The two units showed off some of their most prominent equipment - an M1126 Strkyer Infantry Carrier Vehicle and an AH-64 Apache attack helicopter - at displays outside of the stadium.
“We are here to show the Army’s current capabilities and to remember our veterans from past and present conflicts,” said Col. Jeffery Thompson, commander of the 1st ACB. “Furthermore, it is the 50th Anniversary of the 1st Cavalry’s contribution to the Vietnam War.”
Football fans had the opportunity to climb in the back of the Stryker and take pictures next to the helicopter. And in true cavalry tradition, members of the 1st Cav. Div. Horse Cavalry Detachment rode into the stadium before kickoff to present the official game ball alongside leadership from 1st ACB.
“This was part of a big community relations mission that 1st Cav. has put together,” said 1st Lt. Joshua Matthews, an infantry officer with Pale Horse Troop, 2nd Squadron “Sabre,” 3d CR. “We are here to talk to local citizens and showcase some of our newest equipment.”
Both units not only provided the vehicles, but had Troopers on hand who use the equipment on a daily basis, and were ready to answer questions and talk about their experience in the Army.
“We do maintenance in our motorpool every week, so we see [Strykers] all of the time - it’s not a big deal to us,” said Matthews. “But to see little kids’ faces light up makes being here and talking about the Stryker such a great mission that I’m honored to be a part of.”
As the day progressed, the light gray skies darkened and droplets of rain became a torrential downpour. Although the weather changed, several people still took pictures and spoke to the Troopers of both units.
“I absolutely loved seeing both the helicopter and the Stryker here,” said Jennifer Gray, a Houston native. “It’s so important that the Army was here to show off their equipment, and I loved taking pictures of my children in front of them. I hope to see more of the Army and their equipment at events like this.”
Matthews agreed, adding that the event does more than just provide a photo op for fans passing by.
“The kids loved it and their parents loved it,” he said. “This opportunity showed the military in a very positive light to local citizens who have very little interaction with the U.S. Army.”
| Date Taken: | 10.27.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 12.08.2015 13:21 |
| Story ID: | 183824 |
| Location: | HOUSTON, TEXAS, US |
| Hometown: | HOUSTON, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 39 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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