Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Lance Pounds | Soldiers from 3rd Cavalry Regiment receive appreciation for their service from...... read more read more
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FORT HOOD, Texas -- Starting off their four-day weekend, soldiers anxiously waited to board a bus, for a three-hour journey to a baseball game. From the impressive size of the stadium to the smell of barbecue coming from hundreds of tailgaters, soldiers soon found themselves in the middle of America’s favorite pastime.
Soldiers, from the 3rd Cavalry Regiment and the 1st Cavalry Division, attended the opening season game for the Texas Rangers at the Ranger Ballpark in Arlington, April 6, to present the American flag during the singing of the national anthem.
Almost 50,000 people showed for the Texas Rangers vs. the Chicago White Sox game.
Soldiers, from 1st Cav. Div., spent pre-game hours, practicing for their role in the ceremony, which was the folding and unfolding of the Texas state flag, inside the stadium. Soldiers from 3rd CR, assisted by members of the Marines, Navy and Air Force, gathered in a large grassy area just outside the third base entrance to the stadium to practice their roles in the ceremony, the presentation of the American flag.
The American flag, weighing more than 900-pounds, covered the entire practice field when unfurled by the service members in attendance. Practice also consisted of maneuvering the enormous flag onto the field.
Once on the field the, service members took their positions as they anxiously waited for the conclusion of the announcement of each team’s players. At the start of the national anthem, service members unfolded the American flag and held it through the last verse and the flyover of a U.S. Air Force B-1 Bomber.
“The flyover was bone-chilling and heart-stopping,” said Private Steven J. Harper, an infantryman with the 4th Brigade, 1st Cav. Div.
Service members carefully folded the flag like an accordion and marched off the field to the sound of a cheering crowd.
“It felt great, seeing so many people cheering and clapping for us.” said Pfc. George L. Fontanez, of 4th Squadron, 3rd CR, a native of Bethlehem, Pa., and a huge baseball fan.
“Holding the American flag out on the field while in uniform was the greatest experience of my life,” said Fontanez, adding that his deployment experience just added to what it meant to be a part of the unfolding.
Throughout the game soldiers from the 3rd CR roamed the stadium, taking in all they could. Some stood in line at concession stands, tempted by the aroma of the famous ballpark hot dogs, while others were inching as close to the field as possible in hopes of catching a foul ball.
“It was big,” said Sgt. 1st Class Steven L. Gainey, of 4th Squadron, 3rd CR, as he described a 26 inch hotdog, named the “Boomstick,” that was new to a vast menu of delicious appetizers offered to spectators during the game.
Gainey, a native of Mobile, Ala., said when he heard the Ranger’s were looking for servicemen for their opening ceremony, he jumped at the chance without hesitation.
None of the soldiers were safe from the random hug, hand shake, “thank you” or an occasional photo from baseball enthusiasts eager to show their appreciation for members of the armed services.
After the game soldiers wiggled their way through the crowds of people pouring out of the stadium, like salmon swimming upstream, and gathered for an accountability formation. Some enthusiasts took advantage of this opportunity, squeezing their children in the formation for a quick snapshot.
Once everyone was accounted for, the soldiers marched, in columns of twos, to buses waiting to take them back home. With high spirits, soldiers reflect on the day’s activities on the long trip home.
“It was amazing!” said Harper, a native of Bakers City, Ore., who went to the game not knowing what to expect, as this was the first baseball game he had ever attended.
“This was the best detail I’ve ever been on in the Army,” said Spec. Brian T. Letzter, of 4th Squadron, 3rd CR. Harper also mentioned that this was his first time to the Rangers’ stadium.
Sgt. Maj. James W. Taylor, of 4th Squadron, 3rd CR, who was one of the senior enlisted attendees, shared in the excitement of his soldiers for the unique opportunity provided by the Texas Rangers.
“It is good for the soldiers to get out,” said Taylor. “They enjoy feeling valued and appreciated.”
| Date Taken: | 04.11.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 04.11.2012 10:43 |
| Story ID: | 86560 |
| Location: | FORT HOOD, TX, US |
| Hometown: | ARLINGTON, TX, US |
| Hometown: | BETHLEHEM, PA, US |
| Hometown: | MOBILE, AL, US |
| Web Views: | 210 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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