Story By: David Erinakes, COL, MI, Texas State Guard - Chief, Public Affairs

Posted: June 16, 2016

Col. Dan Flynn was promoted to the rank of brigadier general (TX-Brevet) by Gov. Greg Abbott, Commander in Chief of the Texas Military Department, and Maj. Gen. John F. Nichols, the adjutant general for Texas in a ceremony at the Texas Capitol, in Austin, April 11, 2016.

Flynn began his military career in 1962, as a private in the 36th Infantry Division. He recalled one of his first duties was driving a jeep for Maj. Gen. Everett Simpson, then, commander of the 36th Infantry Division and one of the most decorated soldiers in World War II. There was only one problem: young Pvt. Flynn didn’t know how to drive. After hearing from his sergeant on that matter, Flynn decided a full-time position was probably not for him. However, his commitment to Texas and to the Unites States motivated Flynn to stay involved in the military and he joined the Texas State Guard in 2005.

During his tenure, Flynn served in a variety of positions and is most proud of helping Texas through the experience of multiple deployments in support of disaster management in the state, increasing readiness and mission success. 

"I could not have been more grateful than to finish my military career with such a high honor and I want to thank Maj. Gen. Nichols, Maj. Gen. Betty and Maj. Gen. Bodisch for their support to Texas and to the Governor, I will always be deeply appreciative and never forget this day," said Flynn.

Flynn has also had many other achievements during his service. He was a long-term bank examiner, Deputy Banking Commissioner, County Judge of Van Zandt County and holds the position of State Representative in House District 2 covering Van Zandt, Hunt and Hopkins counties in East Texas. In his capacity as a State Representative, Flynn is also Chairman of Pensions in the Texas House of Representatives and Chairman of the National Conference of State Legislators Defense Task Force.

The governor also recognized Flynn’s wife, Susan, during the ceremony, by honoring her with a Yellow Rose of Texas for her efforts and sacrifices in support of Texas.

Story by: Spc. Stefan Wray, Spc. Matthew Bramanti, and Sgt. Greg Illich, Texas State Guard 

Posted: June 17, 2016

HARLINGEN, Texas - The Texas State Guard is ready this hurricane season. In a major training exercise, over 300 guardsmen from each component of the State Guard learned firsthand how to conduct a massive hurricane evacuation during a large-scale training exercise in the Rio Grande Valley, June 6 - 9, 2016.

"This exercise was a tremendous training and coordination opportunity among the Texas Military Department and emergency management agencies," said Texas State Guard Brig. Gen. Howard N. Palmer, Jr., commander, Army Component Command. "When a significant event occurs, the Texas State Guard will apply the lessons learned at this exercise and will be fully prepared for deployment to assist and support the citizens of Texas."

The Texas Division of Emergency Management and the Texas Military Department Domestic Operations Task Force planned this exercise to test the ability and readiness to evacuate persons by bus and aircraft out of the Rio Grande Valley in the event of a hurricane strike.

Working with service members and employees from the Texas Army National Guard, Texas Air National Guard, Texas State Guard, multiple local and state emergency agencies and the American Red Cross, state emergency management tested the use of aircraft as a mode of evacuation of medical evacuees for the first time, while also providing medical attention and sheltering operations to mock hurricane victims.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency estimates that in a major hurricane emergency 30,000 civilians would need to be evacuated from The Valley, making the ability to evacuate and track thousands of people efficiently and effectively is important to emergency management operations.

State Guard participation in the exercise and in a real-world state emergency is invaluable, said Lee Schnell, a section administrator for the Texas Division of Emergency Management. "Without the State Guard, this doesn't happen."

Texas State Guardsmen supported several areas of the exercise, including emergency tracking trainers, Texas Operations Center members, command and control members, medical observers, mock evacuees and search-and-rescue victims.

The first phase of the four-day operation was the movement of the soldiers to various locations around the state. Using this as an opportunity to train, Guardsmen followed standard military operation procedures throughout the transportation process, practicing communication networking with partner agencies along the route.

Upon arrival in Harlingen, the soldiers checked-in through a new in-process and out-process system rolled out for the first time by the Texas Military Department.

Right away, soldiers trained on the Texas Emergency Tracking Network, a tool Texas State Guardsmen often use to support sheltering operations following large-scale evacuations, According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, this tracking system allows the state operations center to in-process every evacuee, keep track of evacuees as they are transported to shelters in other parts of the state, and track medical assets.  

It also helps to reunite family members, comforts evacuees that their loved ones are safe, and saves lives.  Even evacuated pets are tracked by the system so that pet owners can also be reunited with their pets.

"The new evacuation tracking system that we are training on is very intuitive,” said Texas State Guard Staff Sgt. Cheryl Lemmings, 1st Battalion, 8th Regiment. “It's a good feeling to know that we are preparing to help others in a time of crisis."

After a day of training, many of the guardsmen switched gears and participated in the medical evacuation exercise role playing evacuees.

They received wrist bands and were in-processed through the emergency tracking network just as evacuees would be in a real evacuation, many also receiving medical treatment from Texas Army and Air National Guardsmen for mock injuries. Following check in, they boarded busses for the Valley International Airport in Harlingen and went through the Transportation Security Administration security checks before taking Texas Air National Guard C-130 flights back to Dallas, Houston, Austin and San Antonio.

"This is a true joint exercise with all the different agencies working together," said Texas State Guard Staff Sgt. Mike Mills, 1st Battalion, 2nd Regiment.  "It's great to see it from the evacuee's side and helps me to empathize with them.  We will be able to take that back and learn from it." 

Upon arriving at their respective airports, the role playing guardsmen were moved to designated shelters to spend the night just as evacuees would, away from the hurricane strike zone.  

On the last day of the operation, June 9, 2016, soldiers returned to their home of record with a much greater understanding of what happens during an evacuation.

"The professionalism demonstrated by the men and women of the Texas State Guard in this Rio Grande Evacuation Exercise is a credit to all Texans, said Maj. Gen. Jake Betty commander of the Texas State Guard. “ It will be a foundation for future possible disaster missions."

Story by: Specialist Stefan Wray, 2nd Regiment PAO

Posted: March 30, 2016

AUSTIN, Texas – It couldn’t have been a more perfect day for flying kites, as thousands gathered in Austin’s Zilker Park on Sunday, March 6, for the 88th Zilker Kite Festival. 

For the 9th year, 28 guardsmen from the Texas State Guard's 2nd Regiment spent the day helping to reunite children and parents who had become separated in the crowd and providing logistical support to event organizers.

Weather conditions were optimal and the wind was constant throughout the day enabling hundreds of kites of all designs, colors, shapes and sizes were continuously in flight from mid morning to late afternoon.

Partnered with the Austin Park Rangers, guardsmen worked to reunite lost children with their parents.

“We had a lot of good people out in the field that knew what they were doing,” said Austin Park Ranger Brian Leuzinger. “I think we just had a really great command team that were sharing information, making sure that everyone knew who and what we were looking for.”

Working alongside park rangers, guardsmen were able to exercise their ground search and rescue skills, one the regiment’s primary missions. 

“The Kite Festival is really amazing. You get to see all the teamwork,” said Private 1st Class  Francis Ortiz, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Regiment.  “All the training I had paid off to do search and rescue, locating any missing children or missing parents.”

Some guardsmen even worked as linguists.

“Private 1st Class Dianna Salinas did an excellent job today.  In one situation, an unaccompanied child was brought back to our TOC. While she was here PFC Salinas sat down on the ground with the child. The child spoke only Spanish,” said Texas State Guards Staff Sgt Curtiz Rust. “Salinas was able to translate and get us the information we needed to reach out and locate the parents.” 

The Exchange Club of Austin originally founded the kite festival in 1929. It moved to Zilker Park in 1936 when the park opened and has been there ever since. 

“We so appreciate y’all and we so need y’all to be here. It means so much to us,” said Dorothy Twidwell, a member of the Exchange Club and the key festival organizer, referring to the 2nd Regiment’s role in assisting with the festival. “The crowd has grown so large that what we need from the State Guard is management of the crowd, help getting people on and off the buses, and help us patrolling the field.” 

Approximately 25,000 festival goers attended the free event this year, said Les Stobart, ABC Home and Commercial Services’ Marketing Director. The festival is actively being transferred from the Exchange Club to ABC.

 “One of the first questions that we ask every year is ‘Is the Guard going to be back?  Can we count on the Guard again?’’ said Sobard. “We couldn’t do it without y’all, so we deeply appreciate the role that the Guard plays in everything.”

The 2nd Regiment began preparations in advance of the actual festival.  A logistical team was at Zilker Park the day before to make preparations. The 2nd Regiment converged at 0500 on the morning of the festival near Zilker Park. Once on site, the Tactical Operations Center was set up adjacent to the command centers for Emergency Services and the Park Rangers.

Radios and GPS tracking devices were distributed to teams who were dispatched to positions throughout the park as well as other points in Austin where festival attendees would leave their cars and board buses to get to the park.
   
“It definitely exceeded my expectations,” said Texas State Guard Private 1st Class Miranda Leal.. “I didn’t think it was going to be this involved and with this many people.  It’s really fun. I would do it again next year.”

The regiment helped reunite 11 lost children with parents or guardians during the event. 

Texas State Guard supports civil authorities in recent floods

Story By: Capt. Maria Mengrone, Public Affairs Officer, 176th Engineer Brigade

Posted on: March 24, 2016

BEAUMONT, Texas – The Texas State Guard, in support of civil authorities, assisted in establishing safe shelters for evacuated flood victims in the southeastern region of the state, March 14-21, 2016.

“We have a total of 18 Soldiers from the State Guard here to supplement the Red Cross in any way they need us. They run the shelter, and we support their efforts,” said Sgt. Christopher T. Riehle, recruiter, 3rd Battalion, 8th Regiment. “We train closely with the Red Cross and other agencies to make sure we are prepared for something like this.”

The Texas State Guard trains annually to remain proficient in the duties they perform while called upon during disaster relief missions. Some of the emergency response training includes shelter management, search and rescue, emergency communications, mass care and medical support.

“We assist with setting up the shelter, but it could be anything from moving tables to providing security or just talking to the clients that are here,” said Staff Sgt. Nick B. Martinez, 2nd Battalion, 8th Regiment. “Just being able to help is a great reward.”

Guardsmen ran 24-hour operations at the shelter to ensure anyone in need was equipped with immediate support.

“At our peak we had about 170 clients that needed our help,” said Shelter Manager Marie Killingsworth, American Red Cross Volunteer. “The Soldiers have been here since the beginning. I love that they are so flexible, and can move at the drop of a dime.”

The Texas State Guard assisted with supporting three other safety shelters, two of which were evacuated due to flood concerns and consolidated in Beaumont.

“This is now the forth shelter we have been a part of and we are fully trained to do what it takes to help,” said Riehle. “The best part is when the clients thank us for being here because they know they’re gonna get the help that they need.”

The Texas Military Department activated more than 150 service members from the Texas Army National Guard and the Texas State Guard during severe flooding in Orange, Newton and Jasper counties. They provided swift water rescue support to emergency first responders, rescuing and evacuating 410 people from the floods, and supported shelter operations, providing basic necessities to hundreds of people in need.

Texas State Guard 8th Regiment Mobilizes During South Texas Flooding

Story by:  Warrant Officer Malana Nall, Public Affairs Officer, 8th Regiment, Texas State Guard

Posted: March 19, 2016

BEAUMONT, Texas - Soldiers from the 8th Regiment, Texas State Guard, mobilized to support the American Red Cross in opening three mass care shelter locations during the recent flooding in southeast Texas, March 16-20, 2016.

Texas State Guardsmen worked alongside partner emergency first responders and members of the Red Cross to provide flood evacuees with cots, blankets, food, water and shelter until it was safe for them to return to their homes.

"The assistance of the Texas State Guard is indescribable," said Angella Tomas-Bendy, American Red Cross Shelter Operations Manager. "Everyone worked diligently and tirelessly to make sure the Red Cross shelter operated smoothly. From the bottom of my heart, thank you to the Texas State Guard for your duty to the southeast Texas community!”

The regiment supported shelter operations for 200 evacuees at the Montagne Center, Lamar University in Beaumont and the Antioch Baptist Church in Beaumont, as well as, the Newton First Baptist Church in Newton.

"It’s an honor to help out the people of Texas, especially in an area in which I train and live,” said Sgt. Christopher Riehle, 3rd Battalion, 8th Regiment. “It is just one way in which we in the Texas State Guard can give back to the community.”

The Texas State Guard regularly trains alongside emergency management partners and the Red Cross on conducting shelter operations in order to prepare for situations like this.

“Now, here in Beaumont, Texas, we have put that training into a real world flooding disaster,” said Col. E.A. “Buddy” Grantham, 8th Regiment commander. "I am extremely proud of the men and women under my command for the job they have done in working with the Red Cross and other local agencies to assist the members of the community who were displaced from their homes. My hope is that our assistance has made this terrible event a little less stressful on all of them.”

The Texas Military Department activated more than 150 service members from the Texas Army National Guard and the Texas State Guard during severe flooding in Orange, Newton and Jasper counties. They provided swift water rescue support to emergency first responders, rescuing and evacuating 410 people from the floods, and supported shelter operations, providing basic necessities to hundreds of people in need.

Training to Serve Texans on the Homefront

Story by:  Chief Warrant Officer 2 Janet Schmelzer, ACC, PAO

Posted:  March 8, 2016

STEPHENVILLE, Texas - Over 300 Texas State Guard soldiers from 3 regiments conducted a combined joint task force training in the largest disaster exercise of the Army Component Command in Stephenville and Erath County, Texas, January 21-24, 2016.

The 2nd, 4th, and 19th regiments, Army Component Command, 3rd Battalion Texas Medical Brigade, and 3rd Battalion Texas Maritime Regiment, Texas State Guard (TXSG) partnered with Tarleton State University, the Erath County Emergency Management and the American Red Cross to train for any natural or man-made disaster that might occur in Erath County, Texas.

At this annual training the mock disaster event was a hurricane that spawned deadly tornadoes and caused widespread residential damage in Erath County.  Every

part of the training exercise mimicked, as realistically as possible, the movement, tasks, and duties of guardsmen that could occur during a real world disaster in Texas. 

“This mission rehearsal demonstrates our soldiers' abilities to support local emergency operations, run by local officials, during a natural or manmade disaster,” said Brig. Gen. Howard N. Palmer, Jr., Commander of the Army Component Command, TXSG.  “We are trained to provide skills such as mass care sheltering, emergency communications, ground search and recovery, distribution of food and water and staffing support to disaster district committees.” 

Following standard procedure, the soldiers began annual training by reporting to their battalions' home armories in North and Central Texas.  When the Army Component Command received the mission to deploy to Stephenville and Erath County, regiments moved to the check-in location at the National Guard Armory in Stephenville, January 22, 2016.

Each regiment used the check in as a training opportunity on how to use the Emergency Tracking Network (ETN) by checking in a fellow regiment.  In addition, soldiers also trained on ETN evacuation bus training.  These skills are important during an emergency to keep track of evacuees who travel on evacuation buses or check into a shelter. 

Mass care shelter management is another

important skill that the Texas State Guard can provide during an emergency or disaster.  Each regiment set up shelters in local schools and churches in Erath county as part of annual training.  Shelters offer residents a safe location where families can sleep, eat, and receive medical attention. 

Col. Kris Krueger, Operations Officer, Army Component Command, TXSG, sees shelter management as an essential skill for the TXSG.  "The TXSG can help residents and families during an emergency by providing shelters where basic needs can be met.  Our shelters will also help families to stay together in one location which is very comforting to Texans displaced from their homes during an emergency."

Soldiers also trained on the proper procedures to distribute food, water and other necessities during the mock disaster.  They set up points of distribution, or drive-through locations, where residents can receive with such items as food and water.  

The TXSG also trained on ground search and rescue. At Hunewell Ranch, just north of Stephenville, six-person teams, one from each regiment, learned how to find missing persons using line searches and search dogs from Lone Star Search and Rescue from Wylie, Texas, in heavily wooded areas of mesquite and fields of tall grass, weeds, and cacti.   

"Training in multiple skills assures that the TXSG is ready to deploy anywhere in the state when called upon during an emergency or disaster.  We are 'Texans Serving Texas,'" commented Command Sgt. Maj. Lloyd Schook, Senior Enlisted Advisor, Army Component Command, TXSG.

Texas State Guard 8th Regiment Partners with Local Emergency Agencies During 2016 Annual Training

Story by: Warrant Officer Malana Nall, PAO, 8th Regiment, Texas State Guard

Posted:  March 3, 2016

HOUSTON - The 8th Regiment, Texas State Guard, partnered with the 447th Air Support Group, 5th Air Wing, Texas State Guard, the Galveston County (Tex.) Office of Emergency Management, the American Red Cross, and Texas Search and Rescue (TEXSAR) during annual training in Galveston, Texas, and at Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base, Houston, Texas, February 25-28, 2016.  The Texas State Guard conducts annual training to provide soldiers with the skills necessary to assist Texans during an emergency or disaster.

The first exercise was a search and rescue after simulated helicopter crash with three people on board.  In coordination with Galveston County emergency management and TEXSAR, approximately 150 troops assembled on Pelican Island (Galveston County) to traverse 300 acres of chal-lenging terrain that included water, deep mud, and thickets as well as snakes and feral hogs.  

“This training is very important during an emergency or disaster when searching for and rescuing victims needs to be accomplished quickly, thoroughly, and efficiently,” stated Lt. Col. Gerry Levesque, Operations Officer, 8th Regiment.   

The troops conducted a grid search to locate the downed aircraft and passengers. Upon finding the crash site and rescuing the injured, they carried out a line search to find any debris from the crash.

“The members of the 8th Regiment demonstrated their versatility and competency as they worked through the different layers of the exercise,” observed Laura Norman, TEXSAR Gulf Coast Team Leader.  “The Texas State Guard is an incredible resource to the State of Texas and TEXSAR is honored to serve alongside these dedicated individuals.” 

The Texas State Guard is also trained to provide water, food, and other necessities to communities when a disaster, such as a hurricane, has occurred. 

On Galveston Island, 8th Regiment soldiers practiced this service by setting up two water distribution points.  They handed out bottles of water, donated by the local HEB food store, to Galveston residents, who volunteered to assist with the exercise. 

At Ellington Field soldiers trained on mass care shelter management, another important service

that the Texas State Guard provides during an emergency or disaster. Airmen from the 447th Air Support Group instructed the 8th Regiment on how to set up a shelter.  Simulating a shelter operation, soldiers set up an in processing section where guests register and receive information about the shelter, a dining section, guest sleeping quarters with cots, and a medical unit with an isolation area. 

Donald Sanford, American Red Cross representative, observed the shelter operations.  “I knew coming in that the Texas State Guard was well trained in the area of shelter management, and we at the Red Cross are extremely proud to work alongside with the Texas State Guard.  I know that no matter what the situation might be, the soldiers of the Texas State Guard have the training and talent to get the job done.” 

Col. Edwin A. “Buddy” Grantham, Commander, 8th Regiment, was pleased with the annual training.  “I am proud of the soldiers in my command. They each have individual skills and working together as a team with the skills practiced during the past few days will allow them to take care of each other and the people of Texas during an emergency or disaster. This training exemplifies our motto of ‘Texans Serving Texas.’”

Story by:  Spc. Stefan Wray, 2nd Regiment PAO

Posted On: January 30, 2016

STEPHENVILLE, Texas – Seventy-seven officers, warrant officers and enlisted soldiers from the Army Command Component’s 2nd Regiment traveled to north Texas to participate in a joint Texas State Guard exercise and engage in additional emergency response training at locations based out of Tarleton State University, Stephenville, Texas, January 21-24, 2016.

Over a four-day period, the 2nd Regiment, under the command of Col. Robert Woodmansee, joined with the 4th and 19th regiments as well as elements from the Texas State Guard 3rd Battalion, Texas Medical Brigade, and 3rd Battalion Texas Maritime Regiment to train for possible natural or manmade disasters at various locations in Erath County, Texas.

The exercises around Erath County included a simulated hurricane disaster that spawned several tornadoes.  This disaster scenario provided soldiers with training experience in mass care sheltering and evacuations.  

“This training allows the 2nd Regiment to not only establish shelters, but also exercise the ability of our staff to plan, as well as react to changing scenarios in the local community,” stated Woodmansee.  

“The 2nd Regiment responded quickly to a simulated disaster in Stephenville, Texas.  We activated three mass care shelters.  Local residents, acting as role players seeking assistance, came to the shelters. Simultaneously, we conducted training in Ground Search and Recovery operations."

Soldiers from the 2nd Regiment traveled to regimental headquarters in Gatesville, Texas, while the advance team went on to the National Guard Army in Stephenville, Texas, January 21.  The main body of the regiment arrived in Stephenville, January 22.

"This is a wonderful opportunity for us not only to work with the people of Stephenville, but also to coordinate with numerous civilian agencies such as local law enforcement, emergency management services and the Red Cross,” noted Woodmansee.
    
At Tarleton State University the 2nd Regiment’s activities were based out of Wisdom Gymnasium at Tarleton.  Soldiers billeted there and used nearby classrooms to establish headquarters for the regiment and its three battalions. Upon arrival among the first activities were to set up radio communications and computer workstations in the tactical operation centers (TOCs). In addition a web-based emergency information management system called WebEOC was used to track movements and manage resource requests.

“This exercise was an excellent training to test our communications capability,” said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Darrell Prather, 2nd Regiment. “We had soldiers at the shelters communicating by radio with our regimental TOC and our TOC with the headquarters of the entire operation. This very much mimicked what we would have to do in a real-world situation, especially if cell towers were knocked out. We also tested our capability using WebEOC."

Upon arrival at Tarleton, the regiment's three battalions conducted a survey of local buildings and churches as possible sites for mass care shelters.  Then each battalion initiated shelter operations, January 22-23.  Locations included St Luke’s Episcopal Church, First Baptist Church and Valley Grove Baptist Church, Stephenville, Texas. Each battalion had a shelter manager who supervised the set up space for the initial reception desk, check-in areas, sleeping areas for guests, and medical  facilities.  Local volunteers served as role players pretending to be evacuees needing shelter.

In addition, each of the battalions set up a mock points of distribution where during an emergency soldiers would distribute food, water, and ice to local residents.   

Pfc. Kristin Galaviz, 2nd Regiment, stated that "with all our missions communications is very important to our day-to-day operations, including points of distribution.  I am working and training with the best communications team. We work as a team to troubleshoot and come up with solutions." 

Other soldiers trained in ground search and rescue at Hunewell Ranch, in Erath County.  Assisting in the training was Mark9 (K-9) Search and Rescue, Dallas, Texas, and Lone Star Search and Rescue (K-9) teams from Wylie, Texas.  These teams instructed soldiers on how to search with dog teams in support of search, rescue and recovery operations.

“The instructors and members were very enthusiastic and had the upmost dedication”, said Staff Sgt.Chris Gano. “Interaction with the K-9’s at the night exercise was a highpoint to the training.  Our soldiers have earned a well-deserved certification in search and rescue.”

Another training took place at the Tarleton Challenge Rope Course where soldiers had the opportunity to participate in confidence and leadership tasks. According to Tarleton State University officials, the course is designed to “provide training in the areas of problem solving, interpersonal skills, communications and values explored through a series of unique, solvable and incremental initiatives and elements.”

Lt. Col. Wendell Sadler, Executive Officer, 19th Regiment, and a Tarleton State University professor, was the principal organizer of the exercise.  "The university and Tarleton President Dottavio have generously hosted this training for the past six years.  Their hospitality has allowed us to train in the skills that we will need for an emergency."

On the final day of training, soldiers from all units and the Tarleton ROTC cadets braved cold weather at Tarleton's War Memorial to witness the commissioning ceremony for 2nd Lts. Scott McKinlay, 2nd Regiment, and Stephen Wenzel, 19th Regiment. McKinlay had completed the  Texas State Guard Officer Candidate School and Wenzel graduated from Texas A&M University  ROTC program. 

"As a recent graduate of the Officer Candidate School, I had the privilege of receiving some of the best leadership training provided by the Texas State Guard,” said McKinlay. “It has helped prepare me for the challenges ahead, but I was just honored to share the graduation ceremony with my family and the soldiers of the 2nd Regiment, whose support made it possible."

Brig. Gen. Howard N. Palmer Jr., Commander of the Army Component Command, Texas State Guard, told the soldiers that this training event "was one of the best exercises that I have seen in the Texas State Guard."

Story by:  Chief Warrant Officer 2 Janet Schmelzer

Posted:  December 28, 2015

DALLAS - What has become an annual tradition, the 4th Regiment, Texas State Guard, provided support to the organizers of the Dallas Margarita Society Ball, Sheraton Hotel, Dallas, Texas, November 21-22, 2015.  This charity event collects toys for at risk children of the North Texas community.

The regiment assisted the 13,000 guests with floor plan information, directions to various events at  the hotel, ticket collection, and elevator and escalator operations. 

The soldiers also conducted communications planning, risk assessments, and first aid.

Participation in community service events such as the Margarita Ball is an essential part of the Texas State Guard mission and exemplifies the Texas State Guard motto "Texans Serving Texans."  

Other groups assisting in the event were the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Dallas Police Department, EMS/EMT Medical Team, and Texas State Guard units from the 19th Regiment and the Texas Medical Brigade.

Story by Chief Warrant Officer 2 Janet Schmelzer, TXSG

Posted:  December 28, 2015

FORT WORTH, Texas - With bundles of toys, the 4th Regiment, Texas State Guard, surprised children at Cook Children's Medical Center in Fort Worth, Texas, at the sixth annual Texas State Guard "Young Heroes of the Guard" Toy Drive, December 12, 2015. 

"Seeing these children at Cook smile with joy makes all 4th Regiment guardsmen smile with joy, too," commented Col. Alfred Sustaita, Commander of the 4th Regiment.

"Many of these children will be spending the holidays in the medical center.  And we are so privileged to bring cheer and happiness to the children.  This is a favorite event for the regiment.  We have more fun than anyone can imagine bringing toys here." 

This year the regiment delivered over 3,400 toys for children of all ages, including 300 collected at the Dallas Margarita Society Ball, Dallas, Texas, November 21, 2015 and 1,700 toys collected by 1st Battalion, 2nd Regiment, Texas State Guard during its "Young Heroes of the Guard" toy drive, and hundreds of toys donated by the Marine Corps Reserves "Toys for Tots."  

"I am so happy to be helping these families at Cook during the holiday season and there is always welcoming smiles," commented Pfc. Matthew Gustavsen, 3rd Battalion, 4th Regiment.  "We try to make the critically ill children happy and we pick out special toys for them.  We learned that one little boy will not see another Christmas.  I felt sadness yet I was humbled that we could make this Christmas a happy one." 

Maj. Michael Potts, Executive Officer, 4th Regiment, spoke about a mother that he met on the hospital elevator.  "She thanked me for doing what we were doing. She said when her two-year son got the toy from the soldier, it was the first time since his operation that he smiled."
 
"All of these children are our heroes," stated 4th Regiment Chaplain (Capt.) David Fish, "and to bring smiles to the children is a real blessing to us all." "We are already looking forward to our 2016 toy drive."  Chaplain Fish is the guiding force for the 4th Regiment toy drive.

The generosity of Texans helped the 4th Regiment to fill up collection boxes all over Tarrant and surrounding counties.  Soldiers put collection boxes in businesses, restaurants, churches, schools, libraries, and many other places.

With the abundance of toys this year, Medical Center and Children’s Hospital will use the toys as holiday and birthday gifts for patients throughout the coming year.

The Texas State Guard annual "Heroes of the Guard" toy drive exemplifies the community service mission of the Texas State Guard.