Texas Independence Day Message

MG M. A. Rodriguez
2013/03/01
Fellow Guardsmen,

On March 2, 1836, Texas’ founding fathers gathered at Washington-on-the-Brazos under less than ideal circumstances. The Alamo was under siege and just days later would fall. The Texas forces were, by all reasonable measures, no match for Santa Anna’s army. What the Texians did have was the desire to live free, and protect their families and neighbors.

Like the American counterpart written sixty years earlier, the Texas Declaration of Independence carefully outlined the Texian desire for liberty and served as the legal justification of their cause.

It’s important for us each to remember that they acted not because they knew they could win, but because they knew their cause was just.

Who we are today as Texans stands as legacy to the righteousness of their action. Their love of Texas, and their fellow Texans, inspired them to work for a future they knew they may not live to see. The Lone Star State shines brightly today because those brave men put their principles ahead of their convenience, the needs of others ahead of themselves.

Your service in the Texas State Guard is no different.

Your love of Texas, and concern for your fellow Texians, has compelled you to take time each month from your families to attend drill -- sometimes traveling far and always on your own dime. You take off from work each summer to attend annual training. Most of all, you keep a go-bag packed, ready to roll when called to aid our neighbors.

Militarily, many of our Texas State Guard units can trace their history to those early days in the fight for independence. Our mission is different from theirs, but not what is important. Our love for Texas, and our abiding concern for our fellow Texans, is exactly the same.

As we celebrate Texas’ birthday this weekend, I know we both count it an honor to wear the Lone Star flag on our shoulders. Even more so, it’s an honor for me to serve alongside you as together we serve Texans.

Equal to the Task!

M. A. Rodriguez

MG, Texas State Guard

Commanding

Friday, March 1, 2013 8:36:00 AM Categories: Texas State Guard

Texas National Guardsmen participate in bi-national ceremony

Staff Sgt. Pedro Villareal (2nd from left), along with the color guard detail from 3rd Battalion, 141st Infantry Regiment, Texas Army National Guard, participate at the 2013 George Washington Birthday Celebration Parade in Laredo, Texas, Feb. 23, 2013.
Staff Sgt. Pedro Villareal (2nd from left), along with the color guard detail from 3rd Battalion, 141st Infantry Regiment, Texas Army National Guard, participate at the 2013 George Washington Birthday Celebration Parade in Laredo, Texas, Feb. 23, 2013. The event is part of a two-week-long celebration, recognizing the former president. (National Guard photo by Army Staff Sgt. Malcolm McClendon)

Story by: Staff Sgt. Malcolm McClendon

 

 LAREDO, Texas – Soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 141st Infantry Regiment, Texas Army National Guard, unfurled their flags,  shouldered arms and marched toward Mexico. The Guardsmen, from the unit’s color guard, presented the colors in the  Washington’s Birthday Celebration - International Bridge Ceremony held in Laredo, Texas, Feb. 23, 2013.

 The event serves as the “official welcome” between officials and dignitaries from Mexico and the United States by  exchanging “abrazos," or embraces, symbolizing good will between the two nations. 

 Staff Sgt. Pedro Villarreal, color guard detail noncommissioned officer in charge, considered it an honor to be part of this  bi-national ceremony.

 “It’s a great experience to be able to lead a group of VIPs from the United States to meet their counterparts from Mexico in  the center of the bridge where the two countries meet,” Villarreal said. “I grew up here and have seen how both countries  contribute to each others' culture. This ceremony allows us to celebrate and embrace that.”

 The “abrazos” are exchanged between U.S. and Mexican counterparts on the international bridge, close to where the  boundary lies. Mayors from the cities of Laredo, Texas, and Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico, led the exchange, followed  by state, federal and military representatives from both countries.

Brig. Gen. Kenneth W. Wisian, assistant adjutant general – Air and commander of the Texas Air National Guard, represented the U.S. Military exchanging his “abrazo” with Mexican Gen. Antonio Solorzano Ortega. Brig. Gen. Sean A. Ryan, also present, said hosting the gesture on the bridge itself is symbolic of the solidarity between U.S. and Mexican militaries.

“The bridge we’re on is not just a physical structure that connects both countries, it’s also a conduit that allows us to foster relationships with our military counterparts in Mexico,” Ryan said. “I’m proud the Texas National Guard represented the U.S. Military, and that we were able to provide the color guard detail for the ceremony.”

This is the second year Villarreal and his detail supported the event.

“They were so impressed by our performance last year that they asked us out again,” Villarreal said. “It’s a very important occasion, dignitaries from both countries are out there, and all eyes are on us to kick off this event. My detail was proud to not only represent our country but Texas as well.”

The ceremony was followed by the Washington’s Birthday Celebration Parade, wrapping up two weeks of events celebrating the life of the first president.

Saturday, February 23, 2013 2:34:00 PM Categories: Texas Army National Guard

Camp Mabry Exercise Today

CAMP MABRY, Texas - We’re conducting a routine exercise at Camp Mabry, in Austin, today. Please be patient at the gate, as you may notice a slight delay entering post.

Wednesday, February 20, 2013 5:11:00 PM Categories: Blog