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Blackanthem Military News
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Last Updated:
Feb 9, 2012 - 5:06:14 PM |
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Gatesville provides 'super' Sunday for Florida National Guard Soldiers
By Pfc. Lindsey E. Jones, 53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs
Feb 10, 2010 - 6:25:42 PM
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Blackanthem Military News
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| Robin Crouse, Fort Hood USO director, supervises the meal lines for Florida Army National Guard Soldiers during a Super Bowl party Feb. 7. Volunteers from Gatesville, Texas, and the surrounding area threw the party for more than 2,500 members of the 53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team being trained for their deployment to Kuwait and Iraq by First Army Division West's 120th Infantry Brigade. Photo by Spc. Spencer Rhodes, 53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs |
NORTH FORT HOOD, Texas - Volunteers from Gatesville and the surrounding area worked together to throw a Super Bowl party Feb. 7 for more than 2,500 Florida Army National Guard Soldiers training in Texas for their deployment to Kuwait and Iraq.
Member of local churches and the Gatesville volunteer fire department, along with representatives from USO, Morale Welfare and Recreation and USAA arranged refreshments and a band for the Soldiers of the 53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, who are being trained at North Fort Hood by First Army Division West's 120th Infantry Brigade.
The fire department grilled hundreds of hamburgers, bratwursts and hot dogs for the troops. For the past three years, the department has done events like this to show its support, said fire chief Billy Vaden, and the organization looks forward to doing more in the future. He is glad the firefighters had the chance to show their support, he said, and he enjoys meeting the Soldiers and hearing their stories.
Mary-Alice Wise, a volunteer from Trinity Baptist Church of Gatesville, and volunteers from eight other area churches baked all the desserts served at the party. "I'm glad to have had the chance to do this for the Florida Guard Soldiers," Wise said. Every church she called was willing to help and show support for the Florida Guard members, she said.
Keith Redmond, a recreation specialist with the MWR who served 26 years in the Army, said volunteers spent three weeks planning the Super Bowl party.
"Support has been tremendous as with every event, every time," Redmond said. "USO, USAA, churches and the Gatesville fire department are all very supportive of the troops, give their time and are at each event no matter the weather. Kudos to the volunteers."
It's important to treat every Soldier as though each event may be their last, although he hopes that it's not, Redmond said. He just wants to take care of the Soldiers. He feels that communities and the nation ask so much of Guard members, and these events are a reward for their hard work, he said.
It's good that the local communities are so supportive the Florida Guard, said Staff Sgt. Chris Beard, a squad leader in C Company, 2nd Battalion, 124th Infantry Regiment. "It makes me feel good to know that people care," he said.
Ken Casey, a retired Air Force chief master sergeant and Military Affairs representative for USAA, said he enjoys giving back to troops and does so because it's the right thing to do for those who defend America. Local communities and America could not survive without those who volunteer to serve in the National Guard, he said, and it takes special people to do so.
USAA works with the USO at many events for all branches all over the world, Casey said.
"It's great to see USO at this event," Casey said. "It's a tremendous organization, and I'm proud of the volunteers who selflessly serve and put smiles on troops' faces."
Soldiers need to know that the community cares and appreciates what they do, said Ingrid Davidson, a USO volunteer for the past three years. Davidson's husband is retired from the military, and the couple began volunteering three years ago to do their part to support the troops.
Davidson said she wanted Florida Guard Soldiers to know that she wants them to "stay safe and come home to your families."
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