Talent show host welcomes 4th BCT 10th Mtn. Div. Soldiers

Photo By Spc. Katrina Faulkner-Brown | Staff Sgt. Fred J. Pedro, a native of Pembroke, N.C. and cannon crew section sergeant, 2nd Battalion, 17 Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, leads the last song, "It's so hard to say good-bye to yesterday," with contestants from the Farewell/Welcome Talent Show at Forward Operating Base Loyalty, Dec 16.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

12.31.2007

Story by Spc. Katrina Faulkner-Brown 

4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division Public Affairs

By Spc. Katrina Faulkner-Brown
4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division

FORWARD OPERATING BASE LOYALTY, Iraq – A 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division emcee opened a talent show with a warm welcome to incoming 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Soldiers, at the Tomas Sotelo Soldier's Theater, Dec 16.

Staff Sgt. Jeffery Anderson, from Miami, 2nd IBCT, 2nd Inf. Div., welcomed incoming mountain division Soldiers. He told a funny joke before transitioning to a serious note, expressing his grief for a fallen 2nd IBCT Soldier who won't be going home (with his comrades) and giving his sincere wish that 10th Mtn. Div. comes home with all of its Soldiers.

Ten contestants from 2nd IBCT and 10th Mtn. Div. were eager to show off their talents through song, instruments and dance. Staff Sgt. Fred J. Pedro, a Pembroke, N.C. native, began the show with a song dedicated to his wife back home. Then Anderson introduced Capt. Daniel E. Landrum, a native of Atlanta and battalion logistics officer, Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 4th IBCT, 10th Mtn. Div., as the next host of entertainment for 'Patriot' brigade Soldiers throughout their deployment. Replacement disc jockeys, Sgt. Chad D. Hampton, 3rd Squadron, 89th Cavalry Regiment, 4th IBCT, 10th Mtn. Div., from New Orleans, and Damien C. Bland, a native of Houston, are expected to keep events alive when Anderson and Pedro finish their time at Forward Operating Base Loyalty in the coming days.

"The talent show was definitely a success. There were 180 people that attended the event," said Teresa Y. Walker, Morale, Welfare and Recreation coordinator, Kellogg, Brown and Root. "Sgt. Anderson is great with 2nd Infantry Division. We just hope that someone with (10th Mtn. Div.) will step in and pick up the slack." Walker said the MWR team of 14 people is here for the Soldiers, and whatever the Soldiers want to do, they are ready to support 4th IBCT's ideas and events.

Contestants competing in the talent show included Sgt. Frankie L. Stiles, a topography analyst and native of Cookville, Tenn., 2nd IBCT; Chaplain (Capt.) Patrice A. Robichaux, from Houma, La., chaplain for Special Troops Battalion, 2nd IBCT; Spc. Mary L. Jones, of Los Angeles, Charlie Company, Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 4th IBCT; Staff Sgt. Rodney C. Clayborn, of Compton, Calif., battle non-commissioned officer, 4th IBCT; Spc. Travis R. Roundtree, a native of Pomona, Calif., battalion tactical operations center, 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division; Sgt. Damian L. Daniels, a native of Baltimore, special electronics device repair, 1st Bn., 504th PIR, 82nd Airborne; Pfc. Tiffani M.Watson, from Kingsville, Texas, supply, Alpha Company, BSTB, 4th IBCT; and Capt. Daniel E. Landrum, a native of Atlanta, battalion logistics officer in charge, BSTB, 4-10.

Audience reaction was the deciding factor in choosing winners from the ten contestants. The four winners who tied for first place are Clayborn, Landrum, Watson and Roundtree. All participants received prizes to show appreciation for their involvement. MWR and Army and Air Force Exchange Service donated the prizes. Pedro asked each Soldier-contestant to help him sing excerpts from the song, "It's so hard to say good-bye to yesterday," for the closing of the show.

• Date Taken: 12.31.2007
• Date Posted: 12.31.2007 15:49
• Story ID: 15105
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ