Email   Print   Share By Command Sgt. Maj. Arthur L. Coleman Jr., III Corps and Fort Hood Command Sergeant Major

Facebook Digg Delicious August 2, 2012 | Editorial

Since the war in Afghanistan began in 2001 and the war in Iraq began in 2003, there has been no greater group of supporters for Soldiers from Fort Hood than the citizens in the Central Texas area. From care packages and letters mailed down range, to free tickets to area events and attractions, they have gone the extra mile to lend us their support. The bottom line is we need to be good neighbors to the people who have supported us so much during the last decade of war and continue to support us on a daily basis.

Part of the effort is wrapped up in our community relations programs that we have here at The Great Place. When we volunteer to spend time at one of local schools in the area, we are making a large and noticeable impact on our community.

When we send the 1st Cavalry Division Horse Detachment or the 1st Cavalry Division Band out to community events to put on a show, it’s more than just a show. We are helping to raise the morale of our long-time supporters – a small token of our appreciation for all the things our local community does for us.

The Fort Hood Partnership Program links community and military leaders together so that they can work together to better support each other.

Make no mistake about it, we do a great job at these types of things, and I encourage you to continue to participate in programs like this. But not everything we do in this community needs to be that big or organized. Much of the time, the biggest impact can be made in paying attention to the smaller details.

Simple things like knowing and adhering to the ordinances of the community you live in. For instance: not squealing your tires when pulling off from a stop sign, playing your music at a reasonable level so as not to disturb those around you, and properly maintaining your yard by keeping the grass cut and the area clear of trash. These things may seem trivial in the grand scheme of things, but they aren’t. It’s all about respect for your neighbors. They are vital to maintaining the long-standing support of our Central Texas community, and in the long run, the support of the American public as a whole.

Will you ever get an accolade for following these simple, small rules out in the communities surrounding Fort Hood? Maybe you will, maybe you won’t, but it’s the right thing to do. We are all professionals, and as professionals we are about paying attention to detail. These details can mean the difference between having an OK relationship or a great relationship with the surrounding communities. We are ambassadors for the Great Place and the Army 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week.

The support of the civilian community enhances our lives and makes our jobs as Soldiers easier. Let’s continue to make the strongest of efforts to maintain that support in the days, months and years ahead, by being as good of neighbors to Central Texas as they have been for us.

Phantom Warriors! Army Strong!