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Spc. Devon Harbin an infantryman assigned
to 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st
Cavalry Division, holds hands with Logan Ferguson and Jade Groth,
both first-grade students at Miller Heights Elementary school during
their “Proud to be an American Day” parade, May 18, 2012, in Belton,
Texas. Photo by Army Sgt. Omar Estrada
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FORT HOOD, Texas (5/18/2012) - Soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 8th
Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division and
Miller Heights Elementary School in Belton, Texas, celebrated “Proud
to be an American Day,” May 18, 2012, at the school grounds through
the Adopt-a-School Program
“Today's event will be great, we
have the best "Warhorse" ambassadors which have good social skills
and are well informed of the program we are working under. Soldiers
are here today to give 110 percent,” said Staff Sgt. Joseph Cadriel, a platoon sergeant
with Alpha Company.
The Adopt-a-School Program teams brigade
and battalion sized military units with local schools and designates
soldiers to work with principals, teachers and students to perform
activities that increase public awareness of the Army's mission and
to foster good relations with the local communities and schools. |
As part of the Adopt-a-School Program, 3rd Bn., 8th Cav.
Regt., Miller Heights students, parents and teachers
gathered at the school parking lot for a day full of events
and static displays provided by the ‘Warhorse' Battalion.
The schedule of events for the day were: a high school
drill team demonstration, the raising of the United States
and Texas flags by three ‘Warhorse' soldiers and two
students, the singing of “The Star-Spangled Banner” by the
school choir, the Texas anthem and pledge of allegiance from
all of the students rounded off with a fly over provided by
the Air Force.
This was followed by a hayride and parade
through the local neighborhood escorted by two vehicles from
the city of Belton Police Department.
Neighbors
gathered outside their houses to wave at the passing kids
and shake soldiers hands to let them know how thankful they
were for what troops have done to keep our country safe and
free.
Soldiers had the opportunity to socialize with
students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade during
the parade.
“He is my friend. I like him,” said Logan
Ferguson a 7-year-old student in the first grade, “I want to
be in the Army like him,” as he lifted one of the Soldier's
hands.
After the parade, kids feasted on a healthy
lunch provided by the school. When their lunch break ended,
the students rotated between classes and their main interest
was to meet with the Cavalry Troopers of the “Greywolf”
brigade, where soldiers had military gear and equipment for
kids to try out and wear, as well as a Light Medium Tactical
Vehicle and two humvees for them to ride in.
“I feel
like an older brother to them. I want to be at my best at
this moment and be a role model for these kids because they
look up to me like a hero,” said Spc. Devon Harbin, an
infantryman assigned to 3rd Platoon.
The school will
celebrate its 50th anniversary next year and the principal
looks forward to working with and having more support from
the 3rd Bn., 8th Cav. Regt., through the Adopt-a-School
program.
“This is a very effective program where we
have a direct connection with Fort Hood and the particular
units that are willing to help us in many different ways,”
said Deena Cormblum, the principal for Miller Heights
Elementary School.
By Army Sgt. Omar Estrada
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2012
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