Army continues with its tradition of honoring all who served the U.S.

Sierra Vista Herald/Review ^ | Bill Hess

[SandRat]

FORT HUACHUCA — It was not an explosive bang that started the B Troop demonstration for participants at one of the annual Military Intelligence Hall of Fame events Wednesday.

Rather, someone in a loud voice yelled, “Boom!,” because the late 1800s field howitzer could not be fired.

The tradition of the Army getting things done lived at Wren Arena where members of B Troop, 4th U.S. Cavalry Regiment (Memorial) held a retreat followed by a demonstration of their riding and cavalry skills.

The firing of the cannon was supposed to begin the lowering of the national colors, but when the lanyard was pulled it came out and a quick repair wasn’t possible, which led to someone on the field to exclaim boom, to the enjoyment — which included laughter and applause — of the audience.

Like any good Broadway production, the show went on.

The importance of Army traditions are not lost on retired Col. Harry Fukuhara, a 1988 inductee into the MI Hall of Fame.

“Traditions are important,” he said.

And, since part of Fort Huachuca’s history involves cavalry of the Old West, there had to be that demonstration of the past, the 87-year-old veteran of the Pacific Theater of operations during World War II said.

Keeping alive the Army’s history is important Fukuhara said.

“That’s (the cavalry) part of the Army,” he added.

Equally important is recognizing those who have given to the various branches of the Army, the retired colonel commented.

The Military Intelligence Hall of Fame is important, for it highlights the services of men and women, of all ranks, to the nation’s defense, Fukuhara said.

Since his induction, nearly two decades ago, the California resident, has nominated his friend six times to become a member of the hall of fame.

Finally, today the late Maj. Yoshio “George” Kanegai, will be inducted as members of his family watch the ceremony in Fitch Auditorium in Alvarado Hall.

Watching the induction will be the late major’s wife, Toyoko, who is called “Toy.”

For her, the honor “is very wonderful.”

And, the man who saw that it happened was her husband’s friend Fukuhara, she said.

Her husband and Fukuhara were part of a group of four men, who called themselves “The Four Musketeers,” she said.

Fukuhara almost lost hope that his friend would be inducted.

“He served in World War II and in Korea,” the retired colonel said.

With the fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan and all the intelligence history being created in the war on terrorism, Fukuhara said he thought the time for the older generation of intelligence soldiers had gone.

But, as Kanegai is inducted today, Fukuhara will be proud that his recommendation was finally approved.

It’s important for the Army to have halls of fame, “just like baseball does,” Fukuhara said.

Military Intelligence Hall of Fame inductees

• Retired Army Maj. Gen. Roderick Isler.

• Retired Army Col. Lawrence Schneider.

• The late Army Maj. Yoshio Kanegai.

• Retired Army Chief Warrant Officer Lon Castleton. He will also be installed as the honorary chief warrant officer of the Military Intelligence Corps.

• Retired Army Chief Warrant Officer Ivan Sarac.

• Jean Bennett, retired as a member of the senior intelligence executive service.

The induction will take place at 10 a.m. today in Fitch Auditorium in Alvarado Hall on Fort Huachuca.

Herald/Review senior reporter Bill Hess can be reached at 515-4615 or by e-mail at bill.hess@svherald.com.

[SandRat]

'A B Troop horse receives gentle attention after Wednesday’s demonstration at Wren Arena on Fort Huachuca. (Mark Levy•Herald/Review)

'B Troop 4th U.S. Cavalry Regiment (Memorial) performs a retreat demonstration in conjunction with the Military Intelligence Hall of Fame Wednesday at Wren Arena on Fort Huachuca. (Mark Levy•Herald/Review)