Soldiers of the 1-4 ARB honored

Soldiers of the 1-4 ARB honored

By Suzanne Haberman Wednesday, 01 July 2009

The communities of Hutto and Taylor hosted a reception and dinner June 27 to honor soldiers of the First Battalion Fourth Aviation Regiment at Old Settler’s Park’s Main Hall in Round Rock.

The night’s agenda included dinner catered by Louie Mueller Barbeque, music by the Williamson County Symphony Orchestra Brass Ensemble, a documentary made by the troops during their 15-month tour of Iraq and guest speakers, including U.S. Rep. John Carter, R-District 31, Maj. Gen. Jeffrey W. Hammond and Lt. Col. Brian Bennett.

The cities planned the reception as members of the Williamson County Adopt-A-Unit Program. Hutto and Taylor cities, chambers and citizens demonstrated their support of the approximately 200 soldiers during their deployment by mailing care packages to soldiers and supporting their families. For the soldiers’ return in June, organizers donated sheets, towels and hand-made decoration for the barracks, rallied citizens to welcome the troops at Fort Hood and hosted welcome-home events.

“We’re about being friends with soldiers,” Carter said during his introduction.

The idea for Hutto and Taylor to participate in adopting the troops came after Carter visited the transitional quarters at Fort Hood and discovered that some of the soldiers preparing for combat and away from their families were struggling. He found support in Hutto and Taylor and modeled the Williamson County program after Adopt-A-Unit programs around the country. The communities stepped in to become "families" to the troops, he said.

“It has been a unique and very rewarding partnership for both of our communities,” Taylor Mayor Rod Hortenstine said.

Yet Carter said the real benefactors were the soldiers.

“The things you’ve done for them have helped them maintain their sanity,” he said.

In addition to honoring the troops, the cities’ mayors thanked the program’s primary volunteers and community members who donated time and supplies.