Fort Hood Celebrates its Diamond Anniversary
On Sept. 18, 1942, then-Camp Hood opened up as a tank destroyer training camp in response to the German tanks of World War II.
Three-quarters of a century later, the post is home to III Armored Corps and is the only Army installation capable of hosting two armored divisions.
Community leaders, state representatives and retired Army generals joined senior leaders of Fort Hood at the Army post's Club Hood on Monday, celebrating 75 years as the nation's premier military installation.
The guest speakers for the event were Texas State Rep. Hugh Shine, R-Temple, and Maj. Gen. Eric C. Peterson, First Army Division West commander. Peterson was joined by Command Sgt. Maj. Maurice Jackson, deputy Fort Hood garrison commander Keith M. Gogas and Sgt. Maj. Ronald G. Patterson to cut a ceremonial cake in honor of the occasion.
Although deployed to the Middle East, III Corps and Fort Hood commander Lt. Gen. Paul E. Funk II sent a message to the troops, families, civilians and communities which make Fort Hood "The Great Place."
"The people of Fort Hood, to include soldiers, civilians, families and residents of our Texas communities, are in every way first-class," Funk's message read in part. "There is a sense of collective pride that is felt as soon as you drive in the gate. Soldiers are proud to be assigned to here, and they take the time to become integrated in every facet of life in our local communities."
Funk's father, retired Lt. Gen. Paul "Butch" Funk — who commanded III Corps and Fort Hood from 1993 to 1995 — said it was wonderful to be around for the post's 75th anniversary.
"My son was born here (on Fort Hood) in 1962," he said. "Remember when they said, ‘If the Army wanted you to have a wife, they would have issued you one?' Those were the days, I promise you."
When asked about seeing such an important event occur while his son was in command, the retired general said he was extremely proud of his son and his accomplishments.
"He's pretty proud of Fort Hood, too, as you can tell," the senior Funk said. "When he talks about it, it's genuine. We came back here in the ‘80's, and then of course I was corps commander, so three times at Fort Hood. Quite a difference, quite a change over that period."
In preparation for the upcoming event, U.S. Rep. Roger Williams, R–Austin, took to the House floor last week to honor Fort Hood on its 75th Anniversary.
"Representing Fort Hood — one of the largest military bases in the world — is the greatest honor I have as the representative of Texas' 25th Congressional District," Williams said. "As a true treasure of Texas, this small but powerful area affects the entire state by contributing $35.4 billion to the Texas economy. Fort Hood is made up of some of the finest soldiers I have ever had the opportunity to meet, and I would like to congratulate ‘The Great Place' on reaching its diamond anniversary — 75 years. Three-quarters of a century of being a fully-operational, active military post is something we can, and should, be tremendously proud of."
U.S. Rep. John Carter, R-Round Rock, also represents Fort Hood as the installation also covers part of his Texas 31st Congressional District.
"For 75 years, Fort Hood has stood strong in defense of our nation. To Central Texans, the men and women of the Great Place are more than just soldiers, they are our family, friends and neighbors," Carter said. "On this 75th Anniversary, we celebrate, honor and remember the service and sacrifice of our Fort Hood Heroes, past and present."
Shine, a retired Army colonel and proud aviator, said his first time coming to Fort Hood was for his flight examination while still an ROTC student at Sam Houston State University in 1973.
"I was commissioned a second lieutenant after graduation from college, went to Fort Knox (Kentucky), then to Fort Rucker, Alabama, for aviation training and immediately deployed overseas," Shine said. "When I came back from overseas, Fort Hood was my assignment, the 6th Air Cavalry Combat Brigade which was located on Hood Army Airfield."
Shine said he foresees Fort Hood will continue to be the most important military installation for the United States in the future.
"It has a long-standing influence, training two divisions as well as additional units," he said. "I cannot imagine the infrastructure here not supporting even more contingencies of soldiers."
In honor of the 75th anniversary of Fort Hood, the Herald published a magazine celebrating the Army post and its important history.
Readers can get a free copy of the magazine by coming to the Killeen Daily Herald, 1809 Florence Road, during business hours Monday through Friday.