Wolfhound soldiers continue World War II tradition, help Japanese orphans

Courtesy Photo | U.S. Army Cpl. Joseph Bello, a team leader with 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, Task Force No Fear, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Task Force Bronco, from Waterville, Ohio, gives money to 1st Sgt. Ambrose Crump III, first sergeant for Alpha Company, 2nd Bn., 27th Inf., from Lexington, Ky., participating in a Wolfhound tradition known as "pass the hat," in which soldiers pass a combat helmet to collect money for the Holy Family Home Orphanage in Osaka, Japan. Wolfhound soldiers have maintained a relationship with the orphanage since World War II.  

KUNAR PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN

05.01.2011

Courtesy Story

Combined Joint Task Force 101

KUNAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan - U.S. soldiers with the 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, Task Force No Fear, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, TF Bronco, took a moment during their strenuous battle rhythm at Forward Operating Base Bostick, Afghanistan, May 1 to honor a long “Wolfhound” tradition when they “passed the hat” to help fund orphans in Japan.

During the post-World War II U.S. occupation of Japan, the unit earned the nickname “The Gentle Wolfhounds” for their compassion toward the Japanese orphans in Osaka, supported by the Holy Family Home Orphanage, according to the unit history.

For years after WWII, the Wolfhound soldiers maintained a relationship with the Holy Family Home Orphanage, continued to send donations, make visits long after the unit had left Japan and bring children from the orphanage each year to Oahu, Hawaii, to spend time with Wolfhound soldiers and their families.

Sixty years ago on Regimental Day, May 1, the Wolfhounds passed steel helmets to collect donations to support for the orphans in Osaka. Not only did the soldiers volunteer their pay for the destitute children, they did so from the scant shelter of foxholes with their lives on the line during some of the fiercest fighting of the Korean War. On that memorable day, they exemplified both the “Nec Aspera Terrant” (“No Fear on Earth”) Wolfhound motto and the gentler side simultaneously, truly putting the welfare of others above their own wellbeing and exemplifying what it means to be a Wolfhound, according to the unit history.

“When we passed those helmets around on Sunday, it gave me a chill knowing that Wolfhounds in another combat zone 60 years ago did exactly the same thing,” said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Daniel B. Wilson, commander of the Wolfhound Battalion. “That simple gesture cemented our place in the long line of Wolfhounds who have established a unique reputation for ferocity in battle and compassion to those less fortunate. It also reinforced a valuable lesson to our soldiers, in that despite the rigors and dangers of combat, we must never lose our humanity. For that is what makes the United States military the best in the world.”

As a token of remembrance to those Wolfhounds who have served in the past and to the children of Holy Family Home, the 2nd Bn., 27th Inf., leadership passed around Kevlar helmets to collect donations for the orphans who still need that same support today. Alpha Company, 2nd Bn., 27th Inf., located at Combat Outpost Pirtle King, much like the Wolfhounds of 1951, passed helmets and collected donations while taking small-arms fire.

As though taking their collection under fire wasn’t enough, A Company raised the most money for the charity, totalling $453.75. With the companies’ efforts combined, the Wolfhounds raised more than $1,400 for the children of the Holy Family Home.

“I wish I had more money to give,” said U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Roberto Ceballos, a platoon sergeant with Foxtrot Company, 2nd Bn., 27th Inf., from the Bronx, N.Y.

“It felt good that we’re going to be able to provide for those kids,” said U.S. Army Sgt. Brittany Freeman, supply sergeant for F Company, 2nd Bn., 27th Inf., and New Orleans, native. “I couldn’t bear the thought of my niece having to do without proper food or shelter, so if I can help other children receive the care they need, then I am more than happy to do so.”

• Date Taken: 05.01.2011
• Date Posted: 05.10.2011 17:27
• Story ID: 70185
• Location: KUNAR PROVINCE, AF