‘Dreadnaughts’ host Zumbathon for cancer, violence awareness

Photo By Bernhard Lashleyleidner | Staff Sgt. Markus Pryor, electromagnetic spectrum manager, HHC, 1st ABCT (center) dances to the rhythmic sounds of Reggae during the “Party in Pink” Zumbathon, Oct. 17 at the Oasis MWR stage area at Camp Buehring, Kuwait. The event was cosponsored by 2nd Bn., 34th Armor Regt. and the USO to honor the lives lost to breast cancer and domestic violence.  

CAMP BUEHRING, KUWAIT

11.13.2014

Story by Staff Sgt. Bernhard Lashleyleidner 

1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division

CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait – The women of the 2nd Battalion, 34th Amor Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division and the USO co-sponsored a “Party in Pink” Zumbathon, Oct. 17 at the Oasis Morale Welfare and Recreation stage area at Camp Buehring.

The event was part of the “Dreadnaught” battalion’s Female Ready and Resilient Program in honor of October’s Breast Cancer and Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

First Lt. Chalonda Estelle, executive officer, Company F, 2nd Bn., 34th Amor Regt., 1st ABCT, said the Dreadnaught women wanted to do something more than have a “ladies night” at the USO.

“We decided to have a basewide ladies’ night to commemorate the lives lost to both domestic violence and breast cancer,” Estelle said. “I wanted to do something that would touch everyone on post, not just the Dreadnaught women.”

Estelle, a native of Rocky Mount, North Carolina, said they wanted the event to be a party, and they knew Zumba would create a festive atmosphere and give people a great workout.

More than 150 Soldiers, Airmen, Marines and civilians came out to participate and support the Party in Pink Zumbathon.

Health care providers provided informational pamphlets about breast cancer awareness, behavioral health, Equal Opportunity programs, the Sexual Harassment Assault Response Prevention Program and domestic violence.

Estelle said counselors were available for service members and civilians who wanted to talk during the event.

Tiffany Banks, manager, Camp Buehring USO, asked all cancer and domestic violence survivors to come on the stage to be honored and presented the ladies with gift bags, valued at $100, donated by Judy Delia, a cancer survivor.

The crowd gave the survivors a thunderous round of applause.

“This is an awesome event that 2nd Bn., 34th Amor Regt. and the USO put together,” said Sgt. 1st Class Dana Cadotte, provost sergeant, Camp Buehring, Kuwait. “It’s good to see all the people who came out to support survivors of all forms cancer and victims of domestic violence.”

Cadotte, a Detroit native, said being a cancer survivor was humbling because most people never thought much
about it until it affected a family member or friend.

As the music started, the Zumba instructors hit the stage and began a high-powered routine that pumped the crowd up and had them sweating to the heart-pounding beats of Reggaeton, Merengue and other Top-40 songs.

Several instructors later went into the crowd to perform their routines and invited eight members of the audience to join them on stage for a 45-minute Zumba routine.

“This was the most fun I had in a very long time,” Cadotte said. “I hope we do more events like this.”

• Date Taken: 11.13.2014
• Date Posted: 11.14.2014 01:47
• Story ID: 147811
• Location: CAMP BUEHRING, KW
• Hometown: CHICAGO, IL, US
• Hometown: DETROIT, MI, US
• Hometown: ROCKY MOUNT, NC, US
• Hometown: VIRGINIA BEACH, VA, US