Task Force Diamond Head Celebrates One-Year in Iraq

Courtesy Photo | Spc. Cornice Price, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 25th Aviation Regiment, performed his own rap songs for Task Force Diamond Head Soldiers at a boots on ground party held on Contingency Operating Base Speicher, July 24.  

TIKRIT, IRAQ

07.25.2007

Courtesy Story

25th Combat Aviation Brigade

By 1st Lt. Tiffany Glowacki
25th Aviation Regiment, 25th Infantry Division Combat Aviation Brigade

TIKRIT, Iraq -- Amid the summer heat and setting sun in Tikrit, Iraq, the Soldiers and aviators of Task Force Diamond Head, 2nd Battalion 25th Aviation Regiment gathered July 25 to celebrate their one year anniversary since arriving to Kuwait.

As Task Force Commander Ltc. Col. Frank Tate, explained, "Tonight was a night we could mark one of three ways: let it pass as if nothing happened, sit around and feel sorry for ourselves, or seize the opportunity to celebrate the remarkable accomplishments of the past year."

Fortunately for the members of Diamond Head, they chose the third option and had a lot to celebrate.

The festivities began with a cookout full with all of the treats of home, to include chicken, steak, and ribs that would easily rival those of any southern family grill. By no means was it easy to feed the 300+ Soldiers that showed up for the occasion, it was a collective effort by the company first sergeants to provide reminders of home.

The BBQ and ceremony started off with crowd-pleasing events such as the dunking booth and pie-in-the-face contest; a friendly form of revenge on the First Sergeants and Command Sergeant Major and a great fund raiser for the Task Force's upcoming and much-anticipated redeployment party.

Additionally, the unit earned money fund raising with a silent auction, awarding items such as golf clubs, and MP3 player, and a weekend at the Turtle Bay Resort on the North Shore to the highest bidders.

The festivities continued with company skits, written, directed, and performed by each of the eight Companies in the Task Force and showcasing the diverse talents within the unit.

From satirical songs to company pride skits and even live rap music, there were many laughs and lasting memories that will remain with each and every Soldier from this night.

The evening continued with the "Diamond Head Dancers," a group of Soldiers from Task Force Diamond Head under the leadership of Major Makalena Shibata who performed their well-rehearsed luau-style Hawaiian dances to the delight of the crowd.

The final act of the evening was a rocking set of music played live by the Electric Strawberry Band of the 25th Infantry Division—playing crowd pleasers with the variety of music ranging from the Red Hot Chili Peppers to various country western hits.

Overall, it was a great way to capture a day that symbolically marked a new year for Task Force Diamond Head in Iraq. Most importantly, it provided a reminder of home, and how close the Task Force is to their much-anticipated return to Hawaii later this fall.

• Date Taken: 07.25.2007
• Date Posted: 08.02.2007 07:16
• Story ID: 11593
• Location: TIKRIT, IQ