East Texas Quarterly Magazine Summer 2014 | Page 27

10th Mountain Division safely returned to a Heroes
Homecoming on April 3, 2014. The event was as
awesome as each individual that makes up this highly decorated military unit.
Honor and Remember of Texas, headquartered in

chosen to serve their nation.
The 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain
Division, uncased the squadron colors on Mountain
Field. The squadron’s colors were uncased to
symbolize its return to Fort Polk after nearly nine
months in Afghanistan, advising and assisting the
Afghan National Security Forces in Kunar
Province.
Attended by dignitaries from the military
which also included national, state, and local
officials from Louisiana and the community of
Leesville where the post is located, the traditional
uncasing ceremony was followed by a parade
on post lined with anxious family members and
children waving American flags. The unit
marched down to a recreational welcome
provided by volunteers from the local
community which has always shown such honor
and pride to the soldiers at Ft. Polk. Live music and
the smell of hotdogs and hamburgers filled the
air, along with plenty of food, drinks, and
family games as the soldiers of the six regiments of 10th Mountain were dismissed
to greet their family members and friends,
and to relax and enjoy the homecoming
festivities provided by the citizens of Leesville.
What is more fitting to welcome someone
home than the traditional cake, but
not just any cake. The city of Leesville
went over the top by having a 12 x 20
foot cake made in the shape of the
American flag which was ceremoniously
cut by the Commander of 10th Mountain,
Col. Mario Diaz, with his saber among an
appreciative
crowd of soldiers and
special guests.

Jasper, Texas, had a privileged invitation to witness
the return of 10th Mountain at Ft. Polk. This was
indeed an honor that most Americans never get to
see for themselves, but certainly would fill you with
such pride for our country and those who have

We all have seen the heart-warming
videos of individual soldiers coming
home to their families and loved
ones in our media, but nothing compares to the welcome witnessed on this very
special day when the soldiers of the 10th
Mountain
came
home
to
a
Heroes
Homecoming! Proud to be an American!

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