Email   Print   Share By Sgt. Lance Pounds, 3rd Cav. Regt. Public Affairs

Facebook Digg Delicious May 24, 2012 | News

Cpt Jaison D. Desai, the commander of Regimental Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 3rd Cav. Regt., led his troops in the regiment’s birthday run along Battalion Ave. Friday. The run was a part of the regiment’s birthday week. Sgt. Lance Pounds, 3rd Cav. Regt. Public Affairs

Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Harvey L. Reed, the 7th regimental command sergeant major, and retired Col. David A. Teeples, the 70th colonel of the regiment, joined Col. John B. Richardson, the 74th colonel of the regiment, and Command Sgt. Maj. Patrick K. Akuna, Jr., the 19th regimental command sergeant major, as they use ceremonial sabers to make the first cuts in the 3rd Cav. Regt.’s 166th birthday cake Saturday. The cake cutting was a part of a cocktail party which marked the end of a weeklong celebration. Sgt. Lance Pounds, 3rd Cav. Regt. Public Affairs

The 3rd Cavalry Regiment celebrated its 166th birthday May 14-19 with various activities throughout the regiment’s footprint. The birthday week was designed to bring troopers and their Families closer together, build teamwork and boost morale.

With much of the regiment tied up in its transformation to a Stryker Regiment, it seemed like troopers took full advantage of the opportunity to let loose and have fun.

Troopers spent May 14 and May 15 training and practicing with their teams in preparation for May 16’s sports Day. They battled each other in bracket style tournaments of basketball, football, volleyball, baseball and soccer.

Of all the sporting events, it was the football tournament that created the most attention. With the help of numerous donations, Battery C “Regulator”, Fires Squadron was able to organize the event at no cost, which seemed to be an impressive feat given the turnout of the event.

The top three squadrons received trophies, and with the first-place trophy resembling the coveted Vince Lombardi Trophy, each squadron gave it their all in the fight to earn it.

“This trophy is something that any squadron would be proud to display,” said Sgt. Kyle Jones, assigned to Btry. C, Fires Squadron. Jones was charged with the task of organizing the football tournament.

Early Friday morning, troopers marched to Veterans Field, where they lined up by squadron for the Regimental Birthday Run. The run began with a motivational speech given by Col. John B. Richardson IV, the commander of 3rd Cav. Regt., who also announced the Regimental Support Squadron “Muleskinner” as the Commander’s Cup winners.

At the bugle’s call, Richardson, who led from the front, set the pace for troopers to follow. Troopers began to call loud thunderous cadence to prove their motivation during the run.

Normally Friday mean the end of the week, but not this week. Saturday began with the Brave Rifles Run at the 3rd Cav. Regt. museum, which was broken down in to a 5K run, a 10K run, a 5K walk and a .5-mile kid’s run. Many of those who registered brought their children in strollers or their pets along for the run.

During the run, spectators took advantage of squadron Family Readiness Group concessions, set up to provide food and drinks. Providing live entertainment was Hedley Grange, a band which volunteered their time to keep spirits up. An inflatable bouncy house was provided to keep children occupied while they waited for their event to begin.

After all registered participants finished their event, everyone gathered for the announcement of the top three winners in each event and a raffle of various donated items.

Later that evening was cocktail party, the final event of the regiment’s birthday week. The party began with couples photos, which led up to the regimental toast, were Richardson then thanked everyone for their support throughout the week.

Leading up to the cutting of the regiment’s 166th birthday cake was a speech given by retired Col. David A. Teeples, the 70th colonel of the regiment, a farewell presentation for Brig. Gen. Joseph P. Disalvo, the III Corps Deputy Commanding General at Fort Hood, and the song “I want to be in the Cavalry” by Corb Lund and the Hurtin' Albertans, sung by Richardson.

The events of the week served as an opportunity for friends and Family let loose and have fun. It was also a good way for the regiment to gauge the caliber of its Soldiers in preparation for III Corps’ Phantom Warrior week held Monday-Thursday and consisted of numerous events and activities throughout Fort Hood.