Freedom Walk 2002 By Martin L. Callahan
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The Trotting Texas Turtles Volksmarch club and the 3rd Signal Brigade are sponsoring the annual Freedom Walk at Fort Hood, Texas on the 4th of July. The start time is between 7 and 10 a.m., finish by 1 p.m. Watch for direction signs along the highway to enter the post. Non-Department of Defense registered vehicles will be limited to entry at two gates. Fort Hood is named in honor of Major General John Bell Hood. Hood served as a lieutenant in the crack 2nd U.S. Cavalry on the Texas frontier before the Civil War and rose |
makes the U.S. Army the best in the world! You may see examples of the formidable M-1 Abrams tank and other modern military vehicles that won Operation Desert Storm, and facilities used to train and sustain 1st Cavalry Division and 4th Infantry Division soldiers. One special treat along the route is that you will pass through the out-door exhibits U.S. and foreign armored vehicles and artillery at the 1st Cavalry and 4th Infantry Division museums. The 4th Infantry Division is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; the 1st Cavalry Division is open from |

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to the rank of Major General in the Confederate Army during the war. Hood's Texas Brigade, named after its original commander was, proba- bly the most famous Civil War Texas unit. Fort Hood is in central Texas near Killeen. It first opened as a training center for U.S. Army Tank Destroyers on September 18, 1942 and continues to be used for training armored units. During WWII the post also served as a POW camp for German soldiers. With procurement of additional land since WWII the post has grown to be one of the largest military installations in the world. The walk takes you through the post and gives you a good view of what |
noon to 4 p.m. Both museums also have excellent indoor exhibits that interpret the history of these two divisions. For information on the 1st Cavalry museum call at 254-287-3626 and the 4th Infantry Division museum call at 254-287-8811. The Army will generously provide the first 200 walkers with an attrac- tive free volksmarch medal to com-memorate the Freedom walk. For information on this most unique walk or other walks sponsored by the Trotting Texas Turtles contact Karl Kittinger at 712 Ridge Street, Copperas Cove, TX 76522-3137 (include a self-addressed, stamped envelope) or call 254-547-1403 (between 5-10 p.m.) or email at walkabout@hot.rr.com. |