Paratroopers, children enjoy day of fun
By Staff Sgt. Alex Licea, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Public Affairs Office
Apr 14, 2008 - 5:35:17 PM
Blackanthem Military News
FORT BRAGG, N.C. - Paratroopers assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment celebrated the joys of parenthood during the battalion's "Me and my dad" event at the Ritz-Epps Physical Fitness Complex, April 12.
The event was designed for families to enjoy a day of fun, build the unit's esprit de corps and have families meet and interact with one another.
"This is what it is all about," said Lt. Col. Louis Zeisman, commander of the 2nd Bn., 505th PIR. "It's all about spending quality time with our children and having a good time doing it."
The day featured competitions as each father-child team faced each other in events such as a free-throw basketball competition, a punt and pass event, soccer competition, half-mile sprint and a softball/baseball hitting competition. Each father and child team received a t-shirt and other gifts and all were treated to a day's worth of music and free food and drinks.
Although the fierce competition throughout the day, it real purpose of the day was visible with each smile and hug between the fathers and their children.
"This day has been about spending time with my boy," said Sgt. 1st Class Anthony Gilbert, a platoon sergeant for Delta Company. "I have been working a lot of hours lately and have not spent much time with him."
Gilbert's son Trystan, 4, could agree more.
"I like spending time with my daddy," he said. "It's fun!"
For these Paratroopers the likelihood of deployment is a consist fact they deal with on a daily basis in a time of war but for at least one day those thoughts were replaced with ones of joy and good quality time with their families.