Ceremony Honors Colonel Hood And The Spirit Of Service

In a ceremonial renaming, Fort Cavazos has officially reverted back to Fort Hood at a Grand Re-opening ceremony Saturday in Central Texas at the Headquarters of III Armored Corps.

A New Hero

While Fort Hood is a name you will recognize, the installation is now named after a different man. The installation is now named after Colonel Robert B. Hood, a Kansas World War I hero, who earned the Distinguished Service Cross for conspicuous bravery and had a service career that continued until 1961.

A Military Tradition

During a formal ceremony, Soldiers were in dress uniforms, flags were presented, and unit colors were ceremonially cased and uncased. The ceremony concluded with military songs and a reception for all.

Read More: Fort Cavazos Name Change

Honoring a Family

In a special but emotional segment of the ceremony, COL Hood's daughter retired Captain Margaret "Mitzy" Huffman was presented with the first ceremonial cannon round. A powerful recognition of her father's time and sense of pride of the installation's new direction.

For the Community and Veterans

Veterans like Willie Keller Jr. who served at the installation multiple times going through a name change, stated to everyone that while names may change the work of those serviceman and woman will always continue.

Concrete with the People

Fort Hood has been around Killeen for many years and this rededication is woven not only into it honor, but its continuity. Colonel Hood's fine legacy of courage and leadership is now woven into one of the Army's installations of importance.

This name may be old, but it has a new meaning.