Smoothies from home help thaw hot day

Photo By Staff Sgt. Zachary Mott | Many of the smoothies donated by Smoothie King in Colorado Springs, Colo., were quickly devoured by members of Company A, 64th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division - Baghdad. The smoothies were donated by local business back home in the Soldier's home town of Colorado Springs, Colo., and were sent to Iraq with help from the family readiness group of Co. A, 64th BSB.  

TAJI, IRAQ

04.24.2008

Story by Sgt. Zachary Mott 

3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

By Sgt. Zach Mott
3rd Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office, 4th Infantry Division

CAMP TAJI, Iraq – Temperatures in Iraq have begun their annual climb into triple digits in mid-April, and Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers seek out any number of ways to combat the heat.

In their endeavors to overcome the "heating up" challenges, the roadmasters of Company A, 64th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, sought relief in the form of smoothies donated by the Smoothie King in Colorado Springs, Colo.

"It's real nice. It quenches the thirst," said Sgt. Bart Gammon, a Bonne Terre, Mo., native who serves a fueler with Co. A, 64th BSB.

The Co. A Soldiers are on the roads of Iraq nearly every day delivering supplies to Soldiers at outlying combat outposts and forward operating bases. The unit's family readiness group partnered with the Colorado business to help provide the treat to the Soldiers.

"Everybody knows it came from the states. It's just like a homemade cookie when you get it in a care package," said Capt. Erik Corcoran, a North Attleboro, Mass., native, who serves as the commander of Co. A, 64th BSB.

The smoothies were originally intended as an Easter treat. However, because of mission requirements, the smoothies were kept frozen until today.

"Everybody has been waiting for this day to come. Every day I've been asked, 'When are we going to have smoothies?'" said Sgt. Evan Brooks, a petroleum supply noncommissioned officer with Co. A, 64th BSB.

Brooks, whose wife, along with her co-worker, helped get the smoothie ball rolling, has also been waiting for this day.

"It's nice to know that there's actual individuals, as well as companies, that are looking out for (Soldiers) and will do something for us," said the native of Thermopolis, Wyo.

• Date Taken: 04.24.2008
• Date Posted: 04.25.2008 15:46
• Story ID: 18783
• Location: TAJI, IQ