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Fort Hood, The Great Place Memorializing Heroes that Shape the Standards for Today

Authored by Victoria Crosby-Haslim

“Perhaps it is fitting if this illustrious commander had to die on the field of battle, that his final mission was to visit the wounded and hospitalized soldiers of his division. Such was the man, General George Casey.” Stated by General Lemnitzer during Major General George William Casey Senior’s eulogy at Holy Trinity Church in Georgetown, Washington, D.C. on July 23, 1970.

Texas is the second-largest state in the United States and is known for its independent status by the single star on its state flag (Migiro 2018). Nevertheless, from personal experience, it proves its dedication to the citizens through the pride it takes in how they support their citizens. Located in the center of Texas, Fort Hood, along with other cavalry units, in tribute to its long-ago history, soldiers can earn “spurs,” through deployments or successfully completed missions and tasks, that attach to their boots and have the option of wearing the “Cav Hat” that is not mandatory, but encouraged if considered a “trooper,” or a soldier in a cavalry unit (1st Cavalry Division Association 2020). Military members in the Army characterize “L-D-R-S-H-I-P, an acronym for the seven Army core values: Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage” (U.S. Army 2018, under “Lifestyles”). Fort Hood, known for its cavalry, originated for patrol of the Mexican border via horseback and rode into battle yelling “charge!” It “is the only post in the United States currently capable of stationing and training two full armored divisions, first and third, within its campus” (Williams 2017, para 4.1), hence the name, The Great Place.

The First Cavalry Division, “the Army’s first ‘Airmobile’ division,” notorious for “achieving calvary-like mobility in the Vietnam War, not on horseback, but by employing helicopters” (Axelrod 2005, 46-7). The 4-star, Major General George William Casey Senior was an example to all Division Commands. General Casey Sr. was an exemplary soldier who earned the Silver Star, Legion of Merit, and the Distinguished Flying Cross awards for his service, from 1942 when he entered into West Point through 1970 and listed as killed in action during the Vietnam War. His name and all that he stood for are memorialized and strived for at Fort Hood, Texas. Casey’s picture, a bronze plaque with his accolades, and a shadowbox that displays his medals hang within the cantonment’s library. General William Westmoreland dedicated the library at Fort Hood in Casey’s honor because it, “exemplified the man and soldier to whom it memorialized where soldiers can improve their knowledge and further their education while preparing themselves to become better soldiers and citizens” (Lassiter 1973). The words written by Retired Army Major J. Parker, “the memorial to a fallen soldier is the legacy he leaves behind,” (TogetherWeServed.com 2013) is one reason military bases are named for soldiers long-deceased or based upon historical records. The memorials, placed nationally, exhibit the hard work, dedication, and ambition to do better for our country, serve as reminders of the struggles and achievements to date. We sing the national anthem loudly and proudly, and the raising and lowering of the American Flag honors these brave men and women who served our country during special events.

References

1st Cavalry Division Association. 2020. “Cav Hat & Spurs.” https://1cda.org/history/cav-hat-spurs/.

Axelrod, Alan. 2005. Encyclopedia of the American Armed Forces. s.v. “vol. 1. U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force.” Facts on File, Inc. New York, NY, 46-47.

Lassiter, Steve. 1973. “Gen. Casey Memorial Becomes ‘Soldier Library’.” Armored Sentinel (Temple, TX), March 2, 1973. Vol. 31, No. 52.

Migiro, Geoffrey. 2018. “What Is Texas Known For?” WorldAtlas (website). November 28, 2018. https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/what-is-texas-known-for.html.

St. John’s University. 2020. “Our Mission.” https://www.stjohns.edu/about/history-and-facts/our-mission.

TogetherWeServed.com. 2013. “George William Sr Casey: Person, Pictures and Information.” Fold3. Last modified November 9, 2013. https://www.fold3.com/page/637417653.

U.S. Army. 2020. “Living the Army Values.” Goarmy.Com. June 5, 2020. https://www.goarmy.com/soldier-life/being-a-soldier/living-the-army-values.html.

Williams, Roger. 2017. “75 Years Later, ‘The Great Place’ Remains the Gold Standard for the Army.” Congressman Roger Williams. September 18, 2017. https://williams.house.gov/media-center/columns/75-years-later-the-great-place-remains-the-gold-standard-for-the-army.