38th Military & First Responder Salute: An American Celebration

​The Temple Chamber of Commerce is proud to host the 38th annual Military & First Responder Salute: An American Celebration, presented by the American Legion Post #133 and H-E-B on Tuesday, October 25, 2022. The event will take place from 11:15 am to 1:00 pm at the Mayborn Convention Center in Temple.
 
“The 38th Military & First Responder Salute is significant for many reasons,” said Rod Henry, President and CEO of the Temple Chamber of Commerce. “First, we are returning to the traditional luncheon event at Mayborn Convention Center.”
 
The annual event was last held in-person at the Mayborn Convention Center in 2019. As a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic, both the 2020 and 2021 events were reimagined to virtual presentations and drive-thru lunch to go events. The past two years, the Chamber, H-E-B Partners, and business community volunteers prepared and served hamburger boxed lunches for Temple’s Central Texas Military Partners, veterans, first responders, and the community.
 
“Second, we continue the appreciation of the Armed Forces through representation from Fort Hood and the Texas Army National Guard in Temple and our local veteran community,” Henry continued.
 
Active-duty soldiers from Temple’s Central Texas Military Partners the 13th ESC/Fort Hood, 1st Medical Brigade/Fort Hood, and Garrison Command/Fort Hood, along with the 3rd Squadron, 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment (ABCT)/Texas Army National Guard located in Temple, are invited as honored guests. As are veterans through local veterans’ organizations including the American Legion Post #133 and VFW Post #1820.
 
“Finally, we are embracing the women and men who as First Responders, protect and serve our community 24 hours a day, 7 days a week,” expressed Henry.
 
Beginning in 2020, the Chamber incorporated First Responders into this annual recognition event. Local law enforcement, fire and rescue, EMS, and medical and health care professionals will continue to be invited as honored guests.
 
This year’s event includes a special presentation by Major General John B. Richardson IV, commanding general of the 1st Cavalry Regiment/Fort Hood.
 
Through this annual tradition, the Chamber unites the business com­munity to give back and honor those who have given so much.
 
Further event information can be found at www.templechamber.com. For more information, contact the Temple Chamber of Commerce at (254) 773-2105.

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Major General John B. Richardson IV Commanding General 1st Cavalry Regiment/Fort Hood

About our speaker:
Raised in Tallahassee, FL, MG Richardson graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and commissioned a second lieutenant in 1991. He is an Armored Cavalryman.

MG Richardson has served in combat with the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment and the 4th Cavalry Regiment and was the 74th Colonel of the 3rd Cavalry Regiment. He is proud to have been a member of a number of winning teams over his 30-year career, to include units that have earned the Presidential Unit Citation, Joint Meritorious Unit Citation, Army Meritorious Unit Citation, and the Army Superior Unit Citation.

He is married to his high school sweetheart, the former Miss Deanie Poitevent. They have two children they are very proud of, Mary Alex who attends Georgetown Law School and Johnny who is an undergraduate student at the University of Tennessee.

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