Britnia Weicht smiles after receiving the Commission of the Yellow Rose of Texas during a ceremony Aug. 23, 2024, at Fort Cavazos, Texas, for her significant volunteer service supporting those in need after EF-1 and EF-2 tornadoes tore through parts of Belton, Texas, and Temple, Texas, in May of this year.
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Staff Sgt. Carlos Gamez, Headquarters Support Company, Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, III Armored Corps, shakes hands with HHBN Commander Lt. Col. Michael G. Benner during a ceremony held Aug. 23, 2024, at Fort Cavazos, Texas, to recognize all the Soldiers that supported the cleanup of Belton, Texas, and Temple, Texas, after tornadoes struck the areas this past May
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Various Soldiers assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, III Armored Corps take a photo with Britnia Weicht and her family after she received the Commission of the Yellow Rose of Texas Aug. 23, 2024, at Fort Cavazos, Texas.
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Britnia Weicht, an Army spouse, was presented the Commission of the Yellow Rose of Texas Aug. 23 for her outstanding efforts in supporting those affected by the EF-1 and EF-2 tornadoes that tore through areas of Belton, Texas, and Temple, Texas, this past May.
Commonly called the Yellow Rose of Texas, the Commission of the Yellow Rose of Texas is an honorary award presented by the governor of Texas, currently Greg Abbott, to Texas women in recognition of their contributions to their community.
Since May, Britnia and her husband, 1st Sgt. Robert Weicht, Headquarters Support Company, Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, III Armored Corps, have made it their mission to volunteer and have helped more than 180 families recover from the tornadoes.
Although hesitant initially, Britnia accepted the commission presented to her at III Armored Corps Headquarters at Fort Cavazos. Her husband presented the Yellow Rose of Texas to her during the ceremony, while Soldiers assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, III Armored Corps, cheered.
“It’s an honor, it’s amazing, it’s a blessing,” Britnia said. “I don’t feel like I deserve it, but I keep being told otherwise. I’ve lived through devastation before … I know personally how that feels, so I just want to lend a hand whenever I can.”
Robert said he was very proud of his wife.
“She’s a very outgoing and heartfelt individual that will always place others’ needs above her own,” he said.
Robert said him and Britnia originally said it’d be cool to help 100 people. Their current total sits at 187 families.
Soldiers who volunteered for the cleanup with the Weichts were presented Certificates of Achievement and Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medals.
Robert said he was super proud of the Soldiers who volunteered their time to help. He expressed it was not easy. On average, volunteers spent three to four hours in the Texas heat after work to support those affected by the tornadoes. Still, the reward was seeing their hard work make a difference in their community.
Staff Sgt. Carlos Gamez, HSC, HHBN, III Armored Corps, was one of those
Soldiers who volunteered his time and received the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal during the ceremony.
“It feels nice helping people out when they need it,” Gamez said. “There was one family that we helped; they had their house robbed during the storms … We went in and helped them out, cleaned up their house and patched some things up.”
The Weichts plan to start a nonprofit to help even more families in need. They also continue to help with recovery efforts.
For more information on how to volunteer, contact Britnia through Facebook at www.facebook.com/britnia.bramel.
