Serving the Soldiers, Civilians and Families of 2nd BCT, 4th Inf. Div. Issue 105 Aug. 9, 2012

Soldiers support Camp Shady Brook

Photo by Sgt. Seth Barham

Soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 16th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division,

participated in a military appreciation day at the YMCA Camp Shady Brook Aug. 8.

Eighteen Soldiers came out to support children attending the camp, all of whom have a family member who has been injured, died in combat or is currently deployed or will deploy.

“This is a chance for us to say thank you to the kids,” said Chief Warrant Officer Joel Gerlack, coordinating officer for the event with HHT, 2nd STB. “They’ve given so much to us by holding down the fort at home.”

One-hundred and seventy-six children, ranging in ages 6 to 17 stayed at the camp for

a week.“We try to build on their life skills such as

friendships, confidence and self improvement, which are things they can take with them from here back to the real world,” said Patrick Soldan, program director for YMCA Camp Shady Brook. “It’s a unique experience for them to come to camp, but more importantly to be a kid with other kids who are going through the same things so they have that sense of community.”

The military appreciation day’s events started with a color guard presentation and guest speaker, Master Sgt. Jose Colon-Rivera, the 4th Inf. Div. Equal Opportunity Advisor, Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 4th Inf. Div.

Colon-Rivera told the children, “Every single one of you has a job to do and a responsibility to your family to love them. The reason we do what we do is because we love you, and we are very proud of our nation and

want to continue to ensure our nation is free.”After the speech Soldiers informed the

children about the two military tactical vehicles present and the children tried on Soldier’s Improved Outer Tactical Vest gear and Advanced Combat Helmets.

“It’s cool to see how happy this all makes the kids,” said Sgt. Glen Nadeau, all wheel track mechanic, Forward Support Company G, 3rd Bn., 16th FA Reg. “They get so much enjoyment from the stuff we work with everyday.”

“Its good when you can get out here and play with them and they can see Soldiers in a different way; they get to hang out with us and have fun with us,” said Sgt. Jason Nichols, a cannon crew member with Battery A, 3rd Bn., 16th FA Reg.

Donations made by a national food chain allowed the children to take part in the weeklong event, which would of cost 550 dollars per child.

Story and photos by Staff Sgt. Ruth Pagan2nd BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div.

Sergeant Harry Escalera, cannon crewmember with Battery A, 3rd Bn., 16th FA Reg., 2nd BCT, 4th Inf. Div., attemps to gain control of the ball during a game of Ga-Ga Ball at Camp Shady Brook Aug. 8. Ga-Ga Ball is similar to dodge ball and held in a pit. Escalera went to the camp in support of military appreciation day and participated as one of the color guard members and interacted with the children from the camp.

Sgt. Michael Gilbreath, a signal support system specialist with HHB, 3rd Bn., 16th FA Reg., 2nd BCT, 4th Inf. Div., performs push-ups for a cheering crowd during the military appreciation day at Camp Shady Brook Aug. 8. Gilbreath completed 69 push-ups after being challenged to beat the record of 40 push-ups set by one of the campers.

Warhorse PridePage 2 Issue 105 Aug. 9, 2012

The Warhorse Pride is produced in the interest of the Soldiers of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division. The Warhorse Pide is an Army-funded news-letter authorized under provision of AR 360-1. Contents of the Warhorse Pride are not necessarily the view of, nor endorsed by the U.S. government, Department of Defense, Department of the Army or the 4th Infantry Division. All editorial content of The Warhorse Pride is prepared, edited, provided and approved by the 2nd Brigade Combat Team Public

Affairs Office. The Warhorse Pride welcomes articles, commentary and photos from readers. The Warhorse Pride reserves the right to edit submissions selected for the publication. All issues of The Warhorse Pride can be viewed online from your home computer at www.facebook.com/2bct4id Submissions should be e-mailed to the editor:andrew.porch@us.army.mil

Col. Omar Jones IV........................2nd BCT CommanderCommand Sgt. Maj. Robert Lehtonen....2nd BCT CSMStaff Sgt. Andrew Porch..................................PAO NCOICStaff Sgt. Ruth Pagan.........................Layout and DesignSgt. April York......................................Layout and Design

Warhorse Pride

2nd STB recognizes dedicated Soldiers

1st Lt. Destin Foree is awarded the Purple Heart by Lt. Col. Joseph Mouer during an award presentaion at Fort Carson’s Special Events Center, Aug. 3.

“Lonestar” Soldiers stand at attention during an award ceremony at Fort Carson’s Special Events Center, Aug. 3.

1st Lt. Andrew Johnson receives a Bronze Star from Lt. Col. Joseph Mouer during a ceremony at Fort Carson’s Special Events Center, Aug. 3.

Sgt. Tommy Bautista receives a Bronze Star from Lt. Col. Joseph Mouer during an award presentaion at Fort Carson’s Special Events Center, Aug. 3.

Photos by Sgt. April York, 2nd BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div.