It was a two-fold celebration at the Hinesville Army Recruiting Station last Thursday.
American Legion Post 321 in Midway began the Adopt the Army Recruiting Station program, which Luis Carreras has been working on for a long time, and it was also Carreras’ 82nd birthday.
“Every time I talk to Lou, he doesn’t have a lack of ideas on how to improve recruiting,” said Lt. Col. Michael Dargavell, the Jacksonville (Fla.) Recruiting Battalion commander. “On behalf of myself and the battalion, I want to thank you.”
Carreras, who flew helicopters in Vietnam, was inducted into the Order of St. George, a distinction reserved for armored cavalrymen.
“When I found out about this event, the answer was yes,” said Col. Jeremy Wilson, the 3rd Infantry Division deputy commander for maneuver. “They said it was for Lou. I said, ‘done,’ because that’s how important he is to us.”
Wilson’s first assignment as a second lieutenant was with the 3rd ID’s 3/69 Armor Battalion and Carreras was one of the first people he met upon his return to Fort Stewart earlier this summer.
He recalled years ago waiting at 2 a.m. as the 1st Brigade returned and Carreras was already there.
“So to come back here, 24 years later, it’s awesome and it’s awesome because of all of you and what you do for our soldiers and families,” Col. Wilson said.
Carreras also was honored by Hinesville Mayor Allen Brown, state Rep. Al Williams, who is a fellow Vietnam veteran, and U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter (R-Pooler).
“When you talk about a community dedicated to the military, you’re talking about Hinesville and Liberty County,” Carter said. “There is no better example than Lou. He is the greatest advocate we have in this district and I would submit to you one of the greatest in the country. He loves our military and we love him.”
Williams served with the 18th MP Brigade in 1967-69 and said in his last eight years in the General Assembly, he has been a sponsor or signer to 60 military-related bills. Williams said Carreras is the epitome of supporting the military.
“What you do is known nationwide,” he said.
Williams also called for more physical education and health education in schools, so exercise and healthier eating are more ingrained potential recruits.
“Obesity is one of the big reasons people can’t join the military,” he said. “Another is drugs. It is a danger to national security when you can’t recruit more people because of things that are preventable. We’ve got to get our young people in physical condition and get them in a position to go.”
