Photo By Sgt. Robert Adams | Spc. Brian Benko (Middle), 3/116th FA, and Capt. Christal Laws, 54th Signal Battalion...... read more read more
Spc. Robert Adams
11th PAD
CAMP VIRGINIA, Kuwait - The Florida Strawberry Festival gained a second home at Camp Virginia Feb. 18 when Soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 116th Field Artillery Regiment shared a version of their city's famed festival with fellow troops and Coalition Forces.
The National Guard unit from Plant City, Fla., the home to the "World's Winter Strawberry Capital," brought hometown tradition to Kuwait since the troops are deployed during this year's two-week festivities.
"Of course you miss home but by bringing the festival here, it adds a little home flavor," said 1st lt. Olan Stephens, 3/116th FA Coalition Forces and force protection officer in charge.
The mayor of Plant City issued a proclamation recognizing the unit and authorizing the event as an official Florida Strawberry Festival.
The festival was kicked off by a President's Day 5-k run, followed by a full day of team events, food and disc jockey music by artists who will perform at the Florida festival March 2-12.
Plant City provided T-shirts and trophies to award Soldiers in the day's team events: the egg toss, egg run, three-legged race, balloon toss, volleyball, horseshoes and a free-throw contest.
Yoke and water were flying as eggs and water balloons broke on participants.
"It was a blast," said Sgt. Victor Vigna, 3/116th FA, whose three-legged race team took a spill in the event. "The competition built good camaraderie among the participants."
The excitement grew when Lt. Col. Matthew Hearon, Camp Virginia and 3/116th FA commander, got in the dunk tank seat and started taunting the crowd.
A few throws, like the fastball thrown by Staff Sgt. Willie Gilliam, 343rd Medical Company medic, dropped Hearon into the cool water.
"With no repercussions, it was fun," Gilliam said. "He was a good sport."
As is a tradition at the Florida Strawberry Festival, Virginia also held a competition to crown a festival king and queen.
Teams of randomly picked males and females competed in events together and the team with the most points was crowned Virginia's king and queen.
"There can only be one king, so why not me?" said an excited Spc. Brian Benko, 3/116th FA, after being crowned king of the festival.
"I enjoyed it because it was a chance to meet new people," said Capt. Christal Laws, 54th Signal Battalion adjutant, who was crowned queen.
Attendees also got the opportunity to eat their share of burgers, hot dogs and, of course, strawberries at the event. The camp had 90 flats of strawberries and set up a build-your-own-strawberry-shortcake booth.
The festival has a long history that started back in 1930 which brought the local farmers together to introduce and sell their products and learn new things about the industry.
"It has a lot to do with the agricultural communityâ?¦ They show steer, swine and, of course, they've got strawberry shortcake," said Sgt. 1st Class William Riley, 3/116th FA detachment first sergeant. "The city is the only place in the world where strawberries will grow in the wintertime because of the heat we have in Florida."
Some Soldiers, like Stephens, grew up on farms and have always gone to the festivals. The only strawberry festivals he missed in the past 36 years were due to military obligations.
"When I was active duty nobody could relate to missing the festival," Stephens said. "In a Guard unit from Plant City, everyone appreciates what it does for the community."
Hearon said he will present Plant City with a flag that was flown over Virginia, Camp Bucca, and Abu Ghraib prison, where 3/116th FA Soldiers are located.
"I think it boosts morale, not only for us, but for the transient Soldiers and Coalition Forcesâ?¦ just to be able to come out and have a good time with a little Plant City twist to it," Stephens said.
| Date Taken: | 03.01.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 03.01.2006 15:10 |
| Story ID: | 5559 |
| Location: | CAMP VIRGINIA, KW |
| Web Views: | 150 |
| Downloads: | 26 |
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