Graduation Ceremony

Photos by Ty Holland


After four months of hard work our three new riding school students had their graduation ceremony. We had two troopers and one lady graduate. The ceremony was held last Thursday on Brown Parade Field. The parade field is the same place where Captain Henry Lawton and B Troop, 4th U.S. Cavalry left from to pursue Geronimo in May 1886--124 years ago. The ceremony is simple and short but well attended. Major General Custer was there and the ceremony was hosted by the Garrison Commander, Colonel Tim Faulkner. The new graduates were escorted on horseback by the Troop Commander, executive officer, guidon bearer, and our lady instructor. I narrated the ceremony and was assisted on the ground by the rest of the troopers and ladies.
After an invocation and the National Anthem, I made a few introductory remarks about the history of the Troop and Fort Huachuca and introduced the graduates. The Troop Commander than requested permission from Colonel Faulkner to conduct a charge.
As part of their graduation, the new troopers must successfully complete their first open field charge. While they charged a bugler sounded the charge and our cannon crew fired a volley. After the charge, the troopers dismounted and assisted their fellow lady graduate down from her horse (she was riding sidesaddle) and then lined up in front of the audience.
The Colonel then made a few remarks about the graduates and then came forward to present spurs to the troopers and a riding crop to the lady graduate. After everyone came forward to congratulate the graduates, I hustled back to the stables to set up the barbecue. The ceremony went very well and we made the front page of the local paper the next day. It was a good time but I'm glad it's all over until the next class starts in October.