Photo By Heather Ashley | Soldiers fill their plates with catfish, beans, hushpuppies and salad Feb. 20, 2026,...... read more read more
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GATESVILLE, Texas — More than 260 Soldiers mobilizing through Fort Hood were welcomed with warm meals and heartfelt gratitude Feb. 20 during the 18th annual Gatesville Military Appreciation Fish Fry at the Gatesville Civic Center.
Hosted by the Gatesville Chamber of Commerce and supported by local businesses and volunteers, the annual event honors the service and sacrifice of military personnel preparing for deployment.
“Here in Gatesville, we believe in God, country and family,” said Carla Manning, the chamber’s Military Affairs representative and a Fort Hood Good Neighbor. “Tonight is a true reflection of those values.”
Manning said the tradition began following the Nov. 5, 2009, mass shooting at Fort Hood as a way for the community to embrace Soldiers during a difficult time. Eighteen years later, the fish fry continues to serve as a tangible expression of support for those in uniform.
Firefighters from the Gatesville Volunteer Fire Department prepared 180 pounds of catfish and 1,600 hushpuppies for the crowd, creating a hometown atmosphere that resonated with visiting troops.
Gatesville Mayor Gary Chumley said the fish fry is his favorite event of the year because it allows him to personally thank service members.
“Of all the things I do to represent the community, by far the most gratifying is to honor these men and women who put their careers and lives on hold to serve,” Chumley said. “We want to make these men and women know someone is thinking about them and praying for them.”
Most of the Soldiers in attendance are mobilizing at North Fort Hood for upcoming deployments. Units represented included troops from Texas, Georgia, Ohio and Maryland, as well as permanent party members from the 320th Squadron, Royal Netherlands Air Force and leadership from across Fort Hood.
“We appreciate you for what you’ve done, what you’re doing, leaving your career and family behind to serve our country,” Chumley told the assembled mobilizing troops. “We’re glad you could take some time off in your busy schedule to be here with us tonight.”
Maj. Gen. Richard Corner, deputy commanding general of the U.S. Army Reserve Support Command-First Army, delivered the keynote address, highlighting Fort Hood’s critical role in mobilization and demobilization operations. He noted Fort Hood is one of only two active-duty Army installations that mobilize armor units for deployment.
“Between these bases, we deploy thousands of Soldiers each year to support more than 250 different missions around the world,” Corner said.
He emphasized community partnerships like the one with Gatesville play an important role in sustaining Soldier morale.
“I am incredibly grateful for the partnership between First Army and the Gatesville community,” Corner said. “Thank you for all of your support for our Soldiers.”
For Staff Sgt. Teshauna McMillian, 1398th Deployment Distribution Support Battalion, 1179th Transportation Brigade, U.S. Army Reserve, the evening offered an unexpected sense of home. McMillian attended with fellow Soldiers from her Baltimore-based unit and said she was surprised by the size of the turnout after initially viewing Gatesville as a small town.
“I think it’s comforting because it reminds Soldiers that regardless of where they are, they still have somewhere to call home,” McMillian said. “That is a plus to be in a smaller town.”
Capt. William Johnson, 1st Battalion, 395th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 120th Infantry Brigade, attended the fish fry this year making it his fourth one overall. He said the event continues to grow and deepen in impact.
“So much love goes into these troops,” Johnson said. “All the community wants to do is wrap their arms around these Soldiers before they deploy.”
| Date Taken: | 02.23.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 03.03.2026 13:12 |
| Story ID: | 559026 |
| Location: | FORT HOOD, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 7 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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