Home on the Range

My brother, John, is one of the newest members of the Mounted Color Guard at Fort Carson, Colorado. In a recent article in The Mountaineer, he's quoted as saying, "We're with horses all day. How many people get to work with horses in the Army?"

We're glad he's one of the few who do. John was always the one who loved the horses, and he's got his own at Grandmother & Pop's called Kid (or maybe Kyd?).

The Mounted Color Guard began at Fort Carson in 1963 as a 32 man horse platoon. They were ordered to disband in 1978 leaving only a mounted color guard to represent Fort Carson and the U.S. Army in the western region. The soliders carry the U.S. flags and Army flags in 1874 pattern 3rd Calvary Regiment uniforms and tact to nearly 200 community events and military ceremonies every year. They have choreographed routines and they compete for trophies. It's one of only 10 such units in the military, so it's not something everyone gets to do. John had to try out for his spot.

According to the article, soldiers are recruited from their normal Army jobs for this 2-3 year stint on the color guard and they return to that job when their stint is over. They still have to keep up with all of their military training while in this special unit. Plus, they take care of their horses.

John is on the far right. Congrats, John and good luck! We are rooting for you.... who knows, someone from our family might perform in a Bowl game, yet.