Austin, TX
Camp Mabry Muster Day celebration toughs out the weather
Apr/17/2010 23:50 Filed in: News Article
Camp Mabry Muster Day celebration toughs out the weather
Heroes event draws crowds despite clouds, rain
By Joshunda Sanders
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Updated: 11:50 p.m. Saturday, April 17, 2010
Published: 8:56 p.m. Saturday, April 17, 2010
The overcast skies and brief downpours kept the helicopters from taking off as planned from Camp Mabry on Saturday during the American Heroes and Muster Day celebration, but the annual tradition of parades, demonstrations and war re-enactments went on anyway.
In the days before advanced technology, Muster Day was the annual counting of soldiers by the military. Now that there are more efficient ways of counting military forces, said Chief Master Sgt. Gonda Moncada, a spokeswoman for Camp Mabry , the celebration has become more ceremonial.
"It's a way to recognize people in all kinds of uniforms, from the military, to police officers, because all of these people fight for others in some way," Moncada said.
She said Muster Day activities had been held at Camp Mabry since 1972, and while the mercurial skies kept some people away, she was optimistic that there would be as many visitors to the free event as in 2009, when 20,000 came.
The celebration began with an opening ceremony that included a parade of military members and a performance by the Austin Police Department's Pipe and Drum Corps.
Throughout Camp Mabry, there were reenactments of Civil War and World War II battles and demonstrations of everything from how Buffalo Soldiers lived and fought to search-and-rescue dogs.
The main activities also included pony rides for children, and there were a few food vendors selling kettle corn and ribbon fries.
In front of the American Veterans Traveling Tribute — a replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington — U.S. District Judge Lee Yeakel swore in 15 newly naturalized citizens who had signed up to serve in the military.
"Our country is very proud of all our men and women, and I think we should be very proud of those who want to fight for our country," said Don Allen, the chief executive officer of the tribute.
Col. Dan Harris, a member of the Texas National Guard who was attending the day's activities and stood in full uniform among his fellow soldiers in the rain, watched the judge declare the new service members United States citizens.
He said that watching the brief ceremony was one of the highlights of the 38-year-old tradition of Muster Day for him. It was more significant because he had just returned from Afghanistan with a unit in January, where he worked with the Texas Agribusiness Development Team helping people in the provinces there develop their own resources so they wouldn't seek help from the Taliban.
"It makes me really happy to see 13 soldiers who weren't even citizens and they still joined the military because they care that much," Harris said.
jsanders@statesman.com; 445-3630
Heroes event draws crowds despite clouds, rain
By Joshunda Sanders
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Updated: 11:50 p.m. Saturday, April 17, 2010
Published: 8:56 p.m. Saturday, April 17, 2010
The overcast skies and brief downpours kept the helicopters from taking off as planned from Camp Mabry on Saturday during the American Heroes and Muster Day celebration, but the annual tradition of parades, demonstrations and war re-enactments went on anyway.
In the days before advanced technology, Muster Day was the annual counting of soldiers by the military. Now that there are more efficient ways of counting military forces, said Chief Master Sgt. Gonda Moncada, a spokeswoman for Camp Mabry , the celebration has become more ceremonial.
"It's a way to recognize people in all kinds of uniforms, from the military, to police officers, because all of these people fight for others in some way," Moncada said.
She said Muster Day activities had been held at Camp Mabry since 1972, and while the mercurial skies kept some people away, she was optimistic that there would be as many visitors to the free event as in 2009, when 20,000 came.
The celebration began with an opening ceremony that included a parade of military members and a performance by the Austin Police Department's Pipe and Drum Corps.
Throughout Camp Mabry, there were reenactments of Civil War and World War II battles and demonstrations of everything from how Buffalo Soldiers lived and fought to search-and-rescue dogs.
The main activities also included pony rides for children, and there were a few food vendors selling kettle corn and ribbon fries.
In front of the American Veterans Traveling Tribute — a replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington — U.S. District Judge Lee Yeakel swore in 15 newly naturalized citizens who had signed up to serve in the military.
"Our country is very proud of all our men and women, and I think we should be very proud of those who want to fight for our country," said Don Allen, the chief executive officer of the tribute.
Col. Dan Harris, a member of the Texas National Guard who was attending the day's activities and stood in full uniform among his fellow soldiers in the rain, watched the judge declare the new service members United States citizens.
He said that watching the brief ceremony was one of the highlights of the 38-year-old tradition of Muster Day for him. It was more significant because he had just returned from Afghanistan with a unit in January, where he worked with the Texas Agribusiness Development Team helping people in the provinces there develop their own resources so they wouldn't seek help from the Taliban.
"It makes me really happy to see 13 soldiers who weren't even citizens and they still joined the military because they care that much," Harris said.
jsanders@statesman.com; 445-3630
Patriots Swear in As US Citizens at American Heroes Celebration
Apr/19/2010 13:24 Filed in: News Article
Patriots Swear in As US Citizens at American Heroes Celebration
Story by Staff Sgt. Daniel Griego
Date: 04.19.2010
Posted: 04.20.2010 01:24
"Patriotism is voluntary," said former Seaman and politician Jesse Ventura. "It is a feeling of loyalty and allegiance that is the result of knowledge and belief."
One could not find greater patriotism than from the servicemembers who valiantly serve a country of which they are not citizens. For 15 such veterans, that changed on Saturday, April 17 when the Honorable Lee Yeakel opened a special session of the US District Court to swear in these incomparable volunteers as US citizens.
The ceremony, held during Camp Mabry's 4th annual American Heroes Celebration, took place in front of the American Veterans Traveling Tribute Traveling Wall. The wall, which is a precise replica of the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C., offered a somber and reverent setting for this significant occasion.
"I can think of no more appropriate place for this," said Retired Lt. Col. Donald R. Allen, CEO of the AVTT, who also served as the distinguished guest speaker for the event. "Our history has taught us that we were founded on the principle of freedom at any cost."
The newly immunized citizens came from 13 different countries, including Kenya, Mexico, Russia and Kazakhstan. Their services included the US Army, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard. The troops, ranging in ages from 19 to 39, included four combat veterans and eight Texas residents.
Army Spc. Victor A. Becerra, who was born in Mexico and raised in California, deployed to Iraq twice before even becoming a citizen. A member of the 36th Infantry Division, he spent his second deployment to Iraq training their police force.
"What we were doing was overseeing the training of 6th Iraqi division," he said, "to make sure that their forces were properly trained so they could stand to protect the region that they were in charge of."
Becerra always felt close to the nation for which he's served for years.
"I've been an American since I first put on this uniform, ever since I started speaking the language," he said. "I feel just as proud to be a part of this country."
Maj. Gen. Jose S. Mayorga, commander of the Texas Military Forces, presented each new citizen with his coin and congratulated them on their achievement.
"It took maybe six to eight months," said Becerra. "That included the studying for the exam for the interview. It's good to know how this country has developed when it was founded back in the 18th century."
"They were defending and protecting and fighting for a country that they weren't even a citizen of," said Allen. "That, my friend, is a true measure of patriotism, these are great patriots. We should be very proud that as a country, there are people that are willing to fight for us to become one of us."
Without a doubt, these brave servicemembers have worked and devoted themselves to the fulfillment of a life of service.
"I've always been an American at heart," said Becerra. "But I could say that today, it's official; I am an American."
Story by Staff Sgt. Daniel Griego
Date: 04.19.2010
Posted: 04.20.2010 01:24
"Patriotism is voluntary," said former Seaman and politician Jesse Ventura. "It is a feeling of loyalty and allegiance that is the result of knowledge and belief."
One could not find greater patriotism than from the servicemembers who valiantly serve a country of which they are not citizens. For 15 such veterans, that changed on Saturday, April 17 when the Honorable Lee Yeakel opened a special session of the US District Court to swear in these incomparable volunteers as US citizens.
The ceremony, held during Camp Mabry's 4th annual American Heroes Celebration, took place in front of the American Veterans Traveling Tribute Traveling Wall. The wall, which is a precise replica of the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C., offered a somber and reverent setting for this significant occasion.
"I can think of no more appropriate place for this," said Retired Lt. Col. Donald R. Allen, CEO of the AVTT, who also served as the distinguished guest speaker for the event. "Our history has taught us that we were founded on the principle of freedom at any cost."
The newly immunized citizens came from 13 different countries, including Kenya, Mexico, Russia and Kazakhstan. Their services included the US Army, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard. The troops, ranging in ages from 19 to 39, included four combat veterans and eight Texas residents.
Army Spc. Victor A. Becerra, who was born in Mexico and raised in California, deployed to Iraq twice before even becoming a citizen. A member of the 36th Infantry Division, he spent his second deployment to Iraq training their police force.
"What we were doing was overseeing the training of 6th Iraqi division," he said, "to make sure that their forces were properly trained so they could stand to protect the region that they were in charge of."
Becerra always felt close to the nation for which he's served for years.
"I've been an American since I first put on this uniform, ever since I started speaking the language," he said. "I feel just as proud to be a part of this country."
Maj. Gen. Jose S. Mayorga, commander of the Texas Military Forces, presented each new citizen with his coin and congratulated them on their achievement.
"It took maybe six to eight months," said Becerra. "That included the studying for the exam for the interview. It's good to know how this country has developed when it was founded back in the 18th century."
"They were defending and protecting and fighting for a country that they weren't even a citizen of," said Allen. "That, my friend, is a true measure of patriotism, these are great patriots. We should be very proud that as a country, there are people that are willing to fight for us to become one of us."
Without a doubt, these brave servicemembers have worked and devoted themselves to the fulfillment of a life of service.
"I've always been an American at heart," said Becerra. "But I could say that today, it's official; I am an American."