FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASENov. 23, 2006
SR# 112306-##
By Spc. Ryan Stroud
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs
BAQUBAH, Iraq (Nov. 23, 2006) – While Thanksgiving is usually a traditional, family-filled day, Soldiers from the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, did not have the opportunity to join their families this year. Instead, the “Grey Wolf” Soldiers are deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 06-08.
Though Thanksgiving was a difficult day for many, the Soldiers at Forward Operating Base Warhorse celebrated the day the best way they knew how – an event-filled day focused on boosting morale and allowing them to reflect on all they are thankful for.
The morning started early for some Grey Wolf Soldiers as they gathered during the dark, cold Iraq morning, ready to run, have fun and build cohesion at the "Turkey Trot 5k Run." Soldiers from 3rd BCT were joined by members of the Air Force as well as some military police K-9s for the morning festivities.
"The 'Turkey Trot 5k Run' … was a motivational, inspirational bonding experience to help inspire our fellow Soldiers to stay in shape and to keep doing [physical training]," said Sgt. Jason Balgos, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd BCT and a native of Mt. Pelier, Vt.
The run was a positive team-building event allowing everyone to spend time together while completing a common goal, he added.
"This is our new family,” Balgos said. “[The run] really does bring everybody together."
Thanksgiving Day continued as the 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion hosted a prayer breakfast for the Soldiers.
"We wanted to get everyone together from all the units to have a prayer breakfast and share the holiday spirit with each other," said Pfc. Javonna Pittman, 3rd BSTB Chaplains' assistant and a native of Colmesneil.
"We want the Soldiers to remember, while in Iraq, that they do have a family -- their Army family," she added. "We want them to know that we do care about them and we are here to help if they ever need anything."
The prayer brought Soldiers together to sing, worship and to spend quality time together, said Pittman.
During the event, Col. David Sutherland and Command Sgt. Maj. Donald Felt, the Grey Wolf commander and command sergeant major, were present to speak to the Soldiers and help them to remember the fallen Soldiers who have recently passed away in support of OIF 06-08.
As a special treat for the service members in attendance, music was provided by a group of Soldier-filled choir who gathered to sing for everyone.
"We were really blessed to have the Full Gospel Choir Team come and sing for us," said Pittman. "They were really great."
The Soldiers of Grey Wolf were also treated to a Thanksgiving dinner spearheaded by the brigade leadership. Everyone from majors to first sergeants served the Soldiers their Thanksgiving meal consisting of traditional holiday food such as ham, turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes and more.
"All the officers were serving our meals!" said Spc. Darold Decoe, HHC, 215th Brigade Support Battalion, and a native of Vancouver, Wa. "That was cool."
"There was a nice atmosphere inside the dining facility," he continued. "Music was playing and the food was great. It was all very nice."
Decoe also said he was surprised at the food that was served and how it reminded him of home.
"It was excellent food and the turkey was perfect," he said
Though he was away from his family, who Decoe said he missed dearly, he was happy to spend time with his brothers-in-arms for the holiday.
"I have gotten pretty close with the guys out here," said Decoe. "Being with these guys for Thanksgiving was very nice. They are a lot like family to me."
Soldiers at FOB Warhorse were also given the opportunity to take part in the Professional Golf Association Celebrity Tour, an event sponsored by the United Service Organizations.
For Spc. Randy Flores, a native of San Antonio assigned to Company D, 1-12 Combined Arms Battalion, the PGA tour was the most special part of his Thanksgiving, allowing him the opportunity to take time away from re-fitting vehicles and patrolling the Baqubah area.
"It was nice to get the time away," Flores said as he spoke about meeting the seven PGA golfers who spent their Thanksgiving away from their families to visit deployed Soldiers.
"This makes it alright though – seeing that there's other people willing to take time away from their families to come see us," he added.
The day of festivities ended with the first leg of a basketball tournament at Sallie Gym. Soldiers from different units teamed up for morale-boosting fun on the court.
"A lot of us have gotten together for a basketball tournament to celebrate Thanksgiving," said Staff Sgt. Marvitis Dupree, HHC, 3rd BSTB and a native of Detroit.
"Playing takes your mind off the environment that you are in," he added. "It's also to celebrate and have fun with those around you. We're exercising and staying in shape while playing a sport on the day where people love to eat a lot of food."
Dupree said basketball on Thanksgiving was also a way to meet other Soldiers going through the same feelings troops might be feeling while away from their family.
"It also builds cohesion with the Soldiers that you don’t know," he said. "They're in the same position that you are in. They are away from their family too, so this is a way for all of us to get together and celebrate by playing sports."
After his game had completed, Dupree reflected on the day's events and said he enjoyed the time spent with his fellow Soldiers, especially ending the day with a hard game of basketball.
"I think there needs to be more functions like these," he said. "It keeps the morale of the Soldiers up and it gives them something to look forward to."
Corey Pavin, a golfer with the Professional Golf Association, autographs a picture for Spc. Randy Flores, Company D, 1-12 Combined Arms Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, during the PGA Celebrity tour at Forward Operating Base Warhorse, Nov. 23. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Serena Hayden, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs)
During a visit to Forward Operating Base Warhorse, Nov. 23, Donnie Hammond, a golfer with the Professional Golf Association Celebrity Tour, talks with Soldiers from the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division. Hammond and six other PGA players ate Thanksgiving dinner with the Soldiers followed by a meet and greet session. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Serena Hayden, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs)
While at the Thanksgiving Dinner, Sgt. Brian Dockery, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, receives sparkling cider from 1st Sgt. Harold Hall, Company B, 3rd BSTB first sergeant, at the dining facility on Forward Operating Base Warhorse Nov. 23. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Ryan Stroud, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs)
3rd "Grey Wolf" Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Soldiers celebrate Thanksgiving Day with a Basketball tournament at Sallie Gym on Forward Operating Base Warhorse, in Bagubah, Iraq, Nov. 23. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Ryan Stroud, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs)
Sgt. Terrell Atkins, Company E, 215th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, prepares to guard an oncoming attack on his basket during a basketball tournament held at Sallie Gym on Forward Operating Base Warhorse, Nov. 23. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Ryan Stroud, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs)
Members of the Full Gospel Choir Team sing for the Soldiers of the 3rd "Grey Wolf" Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, during a prayer breakfast for Thanksgiving Day on Forward Operating Base Warhorse, Nov. 23. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Ryan Stroud, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs)
Soldiers of the 3rd "Grey Wolf" Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, participate in the "Turkey Trot 5k Run" in celebration of Thanksgiving Day. The run was one of many events for the Grey Wolf Soldiers on Forward Operating Base Warhorse, Nov. 23. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Ryan Stroud, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs)
Shown is a protective plate worn by Staff Sgt. Reginald Graham, A Troop, 6th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, a native of Columbia, S.C., during a mission north of Muqdadiyah, Iraq, Monday (Nov. 20, 2006). Graham was shot in the chest and the bullet barely caught the protective plate, saving his life. Photo by Sgt. Armando Monroig
Staff Sgt. Reginald Graham, A Troop, 6th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, a native of Columbia, S.C., reacts to being shot in the chest Monday. The bullet impacted just left of his name tape while he was on patrol north of Muqdadiyah, Iraq. Photo by Capt. Ted Stokes
Staff Sgt. Reginald Graham, A Troop, 6th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division (center), a native of Columbia, S.C., displays the protective plate that saved his life. Graham was shot in the chest while on patrol north of Muqdadiyah, Iraq, Monday. Photo by Capt. Ted Stokes
Staff Sgt. Reginald Graham, A Troop, 6th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, a native of Columbia, S.C., was shot in the chest while on patrol north of Muqdadiyah, Iraq Monday. Shown is a close-up of where the bullet impacted his protective armor, which saved his life. Photo by Capt. Ted Stokes
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