Fort Hood Soldiers, families enjoy day at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

Photo By Maj. Joseph Odorizzi | Brig. Gen. Rodney Fogg (center), commander of the 13th Expeditionary Sustainment Command and III Corps deputy commanding general for support, waves to the crowd during the Grand Entry March 2 at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Over 2,000 service members and their families were provided free admission to the park and a catered barbecue lunch prior to watching the rodeo and subsequent Chris Young concert. (Photo by Maj. Joe Odorizzi, 13th ESC Public Affairs Officer)  

HOUSTON, TX, UNITED STATES

03.02.2016

Story by Maj. Joseph Odorizzi 

13th Armored Corps Sustainment Command (13th ESC)

HOUSTON – Soldiers and family members from Fort Hood were treated to a day out “Texas style” March 2 at NRG Park in Houston for the annual Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Armed Forces Appreciation Day.

Over 30 busloads comprised of over 1,500 Soldiers and family members from Fort Hood joined thousands more Soldiers, veterans and their families from surrounding military installations and the greater Houston area for the annual salute to service. All branches of military service were represented, and service men and women traveled from Fort Polk, Louisiana, Camp Mabry and Fort Sam Houston in Texas, as well as National Guard installations throughout Texas and Louisiana.

Also in attendance were veterans from all most recent conflicts: World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm and the Global War on Terrorism. Statewide Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion posts bussed hundreds of veterans to the event where they mixed and mingled with today’s service men and women. There were over 200 wounded veterans and over 100 Gold Star Mothers at the event.

The day began with a free Texas barbecue lunch for all in attendance at the “Hideout,” where they were treated to entertainment from country music performers, line dancing lessons, and a performance by the Marine Corps Marching Band – New Orleans. Also, Brian Cushing, inside linebacker for the Houston Texans, made an appearance and posed for photo opportunities with Soldiers and Families.

Attending her first rodeo with fellow Soldiers was Spec. Sheryll Ancheta, E Company, 3rd Engineer Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, from Iloco Region, Philippines.

“This is my first rodeo experience, and it is a lot of fun,” said Ancheta. “It’s such a great way to spend the day away from work.’

Uniformed service members were offered free park admission with military ID and had the option to purchase discounted tickets to the rodeo and subsequent concert by country music singer Chris Young for $10. The park and rodeo activities offered military hardware static displays, rides, games, a military working dog demonstration, F-18 Super Hornet flyover, and a demonstration by the US Air Force Special Operations Special Tactics Rappel Team.

Prior to entering the stadium for the rodeo, service members and veterans were honored at a welcome ceremony provided by the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Armed Forces Appreciation Committee. Air Force Maj. Gen. John Nichols, the Adjutant General of the Texas National Guard, was the keynote speaker and finished the event by swearing in over 700 new service members to all branches of the military.

“You are now members of the one percent,” said Nichols to the assembled future service members. “You are our future, and we are very proud of all of you.”
Brig. Gen. Rodney Fogg, commander of the 13th Expeditionary Sustainment Command and III Corps deputy commanding general for support, was on hand with the Soldiers as the senior representative from Fort Hood.

“What a great opportunity for our Soldiers,” said Fogg. “Special thanks to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo for their tremendous support to our Soldiers, veterans, and their Families. This is a true testament to the outstanding and unwavering support the people of Texas provide to our service members. Always first class.”

Begun in 1932, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is the world’s largest livestock show and rodeo and is dedicated to benefiting youth, supporting education, and facilitating better agricultural practices through exhibitions and presentation. This is the sixth year the Armed Forces Appreciation Committee has put on the appreciation day for service members, but military appreciation days at the rodeo have been going on in an unofficial capacity for over 20 years.

• Date Taken: 03.02.2016
• Date Posted: 03.08.2016 12:54
• Story ID: 191585
• Location: HOUSTON, TX, US