Rail Gunners showered with gifts

Photo By Maj. John Farmer | Soldiers and their families of the 41st Fires Brigade go on a "free shopping spree" for goods donated by the Leon County, Texas, chapter of the Association of the United States Army on Fort Hood, Texas, May 4. The local AUSA Chapter came together to donate diapers, formula, blankets, toys and other supplies for soldiers and their families in the brigade with young children or women who are expecting.  

FORT HOOD, TX, UNITED STATES

05.04.2013

Story by Sgt. Garett Hernandez 

41st Field Artillery Brigade

FORT HOOD, Texas - The 41st Fires Brigade, “Rail Gunner,” held a baby shower at the Brigade’s headquarters on Fort Hood for soldiers and spouses that were expecting or had children fewer than two years of age.

Members of the Leon County, Texas, chapter of the Association of the United States Army helped collect and donate baby items to roughly 75 Families from the Rail Gunner brigade. Baby-shower volunteers placed an ad in the local newspaper and on two of the local radio stations in an effort to garner donations for the soldiers and their Families. Residents from the city of Centerville in Leon County, drove 120 miles from to Fort Hood in order to participate in the event.

“It’s amazing, just getting help from anybody, when you have a new baby you need all the help you can get,” said Shayla Neyman, whose husband is in Battery B, 1st Battalion, 21st Field Artillery Regiment, 41st Fires Bde. The Neyman family has two children: One 21-month-old and the newest at three months.

The families “shopped” for items such as baby formula, diapers, blankets, clothing, and toys for their new addition to the family.

“This is amazing because they are doing this for the brigade,” Neyman said.

Centerville residents are no strangers to donating items to Brigade soldiers and families. Throughout the years town residents have given turkeys during Thanksgiving and toys during Christmas to show their support.

The residents of Centerville and Leon County have been supporting the 41st Fires Brigade for about five years, said Susan Maples, a Veterans Service Officer for Leon County.

This is the second baby shower the community has sponsored for the Rail Gunner brigade.

“We just try to help,” Maples said

• Date Taken: 05.04.2013
• Date Posted: 05.16.2013 11:34
• Story ID: 107011
• Location: FORT HOOD, TX, US