Photo By Sgt. Shantelle Campbell | Lt. Col. Robert Cain commander of the 2nd Battalion, 32nd Field Artillery Regiment,...... read more read more
SALAH AD DIN, Iraq — As many back home celebrated Thanksgiving with their loved ones, the spirit and meaning of the holiday was not lost in Iraq among Soldiers with the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division out of Fort Riley, Kan.
"Dragon" brigade Soldiers located on various forward operating and patrol bases throughout Salah ad-Din Province celebrated Thanksgiving with a simple dinner and some games.
Soldiers of 2nd Battalion, 32nd Field Artillery Regiment partook in a friendly competition with a "Turkey Bowl" flag football game that pitted the officers of the regiment against the noncommissioned officers.
Other 4IBCT Soldiers on Contingency Operating Base Speicher ate and listened to music during a Thanksgiving chapel program held at the "Dragon's Den" Dining Facility.
Col. enry A. Arnold, III, and Lt. Col. Michael Lawson, the "Dragon" brigade commander and deputy commander, decided to spend the holiday visiting Soldiers throughout the province.
In Bayji, Soldiers with the 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 4IBCT enjoyed a good meal and appreciated the visit of the brigade's deputy commander.
"An opportunity to go and visit with the Soldiers to just say 'hi' to them and 'thanks' for a job well done is something I take very seriously," said Lawson. "To spend time with the Soldiers is a big deal for me. I get to see their smiling faces; they get to relax and have fun or play some football."
"It shows the guys that their chain of command does support them, and it's a good morale booster," said 1st Sgt. Jerry Dodson, an Elsmore, Kan., native and the top non-ommissioned officer with Company C, 2/16th Inf. "It reminds [them] that they haven't been forgotten ... that someone does care that they're out here."
"I think [it's] pretty awesome," said Spc. Bradley Baldwin, of Oklahoma City, Okla., and an infantryman with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2/16th Inf., "when the [leadership] takes their time to come and check on Soldiers and check on morale. [It] shows that they're willing to get in there with their Soldiers at the same time and go through all of the same hardships — it means a lot."
As many had a lot to be thankful for, several Soldiers of the "Ranger" battalion said that they were thankful for still having each other.
"I'm thankful for good company, good Soldiers and a great group of guys," said Sgt. Christopher Dumont, of Stratham, N.H., and a squad leader with Co. C, 2/16th Inf. "I can't really ask for more right now."
Staff Sgt. Douglas Saunders, of Fort Riley, Kan., and a task force medic with Co. C, 2/16th Inf., said the most important thing is his fellow Soldiers are all still here and it's something he's thankful for.
Being thankful for the support of their family and friends was a common theme among the Soldiers this Thanksgiving.
"I'm very thankful for the support back home from all the filies especially from my wife and kids," said Staff Sgt. Petero Taufago, of Pago Pago, American Samoa and a squad leader with Co. C, 2/16th Inf. "For that, I'm very thankful."
Spc. Baldwin said he has many good memories from the holiday and it makes him thankful for his fmily. He said he got engaged to his wife on Thanksgiving and that two of his children's birthdays are close to the holiday.
| Date Taken: | 11.26.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 11.30.2009 03:05 |
| Story ID: | 42145 |
| Location: | SALAH AD DIN, IQ |
| Web Views: | 230 |
| Downloads: | 190 |
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