Photo By Staff Sgt. Brooks Fletcher | Thalia Aguinaldo, a spouse from 2nd Battalion, 29th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st...... read more read more
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FORT BLISS, Texas - Revered to as a heroine for the aid she provided to artillerymen on the frontline during the Revolutionary War, Molly Pitcher is a household name among the U.S. Army’s artillery communities. The traits embodied by Pitcher, and the countless women who have served in her likeness, have become the foundation of today’s artillery units – so much so that an annual event was established to not only pay homage to the legacy left behind by Pitcher, but for spouses to get a glimpse of the artillery world.
Several 1st Armored Division Artillery families participated in this year’s “Molly Pitcher Day,” Nov. 19 on Fort Bliss, including newlyweds and Atlanta natives Spc. Juan and Karen Serna from 4th Battalion, 27th Field Artillery Regiment.
“Getting to learn about what (artillerymen) do, and experiencing what it is like for them was interesting,” said Karen. “I got to be a ‘Soldier’ for a day.”
Just as Molly Pitcher took over for her fallen husband firing cannons in the Revolutionary War, Karen and many other 1AD spouses received hands-on experience with one of DIVARTY’s artillery systems while learning about operation procedures. This came after watching a live-fire exercise at Dona Ana range, and a morning of obstacles at the Leader’s Reaction Course. As the spouses split into teams to cross simulated minefields, haul supplies over walls and conduct medical evacuations over prop electrical fences, they built up a sense of teamwork among themselves and a greater cohesion with their respective units.
“It’s good to see what Soldiers do,” Karen said. “The type of environment they operate in: Staying up late, working in the cold ... it really makes you appreciate what they do.”
Juan, an assistant gunner, said seeing his wife exposed to the "world of artillery" and life as a Soldier will provide them with a better foundation for supporting one another and the unit during missions. He added it also gave him a better appreciation for his role as a Soldier and a husband.
“Seeing my wife go through the course was amazing,” said Juan. “It reminded me of what I went through in basic.”
| Date Taken: | 11.26.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 11.26.2014 16:24 |
| Story ID: | 148969 |
| Location: | FORT BLISS, TX, US |
| Hometown: | ATLANTA, GA, US |
| Web Views: | 99 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Old Ironsides spouses hone their ‘inner Soldier’ on Molly Pitcher Day, by SSG Brooks Fletcher, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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