Photo By Sgt. Jose Escamilla | Staff Sgt. Patrick Cooper, a combat medic specialist, assigned to the 555th Forward...... read more read more
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FORT WORTH, Texas — The thundering roar of NASCAR engines at the WÜRTH 400 shared center stage with the impressive might of American military power as the U.S. Army and III Armored Corps (IIIAC) transformed the grounds around Texas Motor Speedway into an expansive "Meet Your Army" exhibition and Oath of Enlistment ceremony.
The event offered a close look at modern Army capabilities while spotlighting career opportunities available across its ranks, part of a broader effort to connect communities with the people and purpose behind the uniform.
While NASCAR fans eagerly awaited the start of the race, the area outside the speedway transformed into a dynamic display of military power. The M1A2 Abrams main battle tank, Stryker Armored Vehicle, Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS), Heavy Equipment Transporter and Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle were staged with Soldiers ready to engage with race fans and share more information about their military occupational specialities and equipment.
IIIAC coordinated support from Soldiers assigned to 3rd Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division (CAV), 75th Field Artillery Brigade, 555th Forward Resuscitative Surgical Detachment (FRSD) and recruiters from Dallas Recruiting Battalion.
Maj. Christopher Welch, IIIAC G9 operations officer and lead coordinator for the event, was pleased with the community response.
"We brought several different pieces of equipment that reflect the III Armored Corps, America's Hammer," Welch said. "You think of things like the M1 Abrams tank and the M2 Bradley. Anytime the American people get to come out here and learn more about the Army, learn more about what we do, is a success."
Several Soldiers participated in NASCAR's "Troops to the Track" program, presented by Chevrolet. The VIP experience honors U.S. Armed Forces by inviting service members from local military installations to attend races, meet industry leaders and drivers, interact with pit crews, and enjoy a unique race day experience.
Four AH-64 attack helicopters from 1st Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, 1st CAV performed flyovers during the National Anthem and again when drivers started their engines. Warrant Officers Derrell Dukes and John Willoughby from the battalion coordinated the flyover from the roof of Texas Motor Speedway, maintaining communication with the Apache pilots.
A highlight of the event was when Lt. Gen. Kevin Admiral, commander of IIIAC and Fort Cavazos, administered the Oath of Enlistment to 35 future Soldiers and 22 Fort Cavazos Soldiers re-enlisting, all in front of the cheering Texas Motor Speedway crowd.
Omar Cruz, a future Soldier from Denton, Texas Recruiting Station, was moved by the experience.
"I had a blast. It was crazy!" Cruz said. "The amount of people that saluted us and we're not Soldiers yet. They were asking us if we were going to take the oath today, it was nice."
Sgt. 1st Class Ashley Dalrymple, detachment sergeant for the 555th FRSD, 1st Medical Brigade, was surprised by the engagement at her display. The 555th’s tent housed two mannequins in separate emergency room and operating room sections, complete with surgical instruments and equipment including IV pumps, ventilators, vital signs machines and rapid blood infusers.
"It's absolutely wonderful. Not many people realize all the different capabilities the Army has," Dalrymple said. "They've all been super supportive and engaged in learning what we have to offer."
Army Staff Sgt. Gabriel Denman, an MLRS crew chief with Bravo Battery, 3rd Battalion, 13th Field Artillery Regiment, 75th Field Artillery Brigade at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, enjoyed interacting with visitors and found renewed motivation in his career path.
"I love being out here. It's nice to know that people are thankful and interested in what you do," Denman said. "They love hopping in (MLRS) and we've had a couple of people start it up, and they love how loud it gets. Normal communities don't really understand what it's like to be in the military, but being out here shows them we have a normal job just like them, we just have a little bit more sacrifice in it, and it helps us connect with them."
The event, Denman added, has motivated him even more to make the Army a career and retire from service.
| Date Taken: | 05.04.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 05.08.2025 10:26 |
| Story ID: | 497280 |
| Location: | FORT WORTH, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 28 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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