Photo By 1st Lt. Anna Doo | Each Sunday Task Force Aviation offers some home cooking to those stationed on Camp...... read more read more
PRISTINA, Kosovo - Members of C Company, 1-150th Aviation Battalion based in Wheeling, West Virginia, are just one example, among the many members of the Army, living the Army values. Selfless Service is one of those values. Soldiers are not just required to memorize the words; soldiers are expected to live them.
Here at Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo, in a large helicopter hanger, members of C Company, 1-150th hold a Waffle House every Sunday morning. Volunteers from the Task Force Aviation unit and occasionally other units, make waffles from 7 a.m. to noon. These volunteers take orders, serve customers and make waffles in the kitchen.
“It is a chance for those living and working on Camp Bondsteel to come together every Sunday morning to relax and enjoy each other’s company while having some good food and fun in support of a good cause,” said Capt. Francisco J. Figueroa, commander of C Company, 1-150th and a resident of Buckhannon, West Virginia.
As soldiers enter the hanger a sign reads, ‘Your donations support local youth education.’ Members of C Company, 1-150th also volunteer their time and talents teaching English to local students twice a week as they prepare for the Test of English as a Foreign Language.
“A portion of the funds raised from the Waffle House will be utilized to pay for the cost of each student’s TOEFL,” said Figueroa. “Another portion will be used to pay for the students’ meals while on Camp Bondsteel for a field trip.”
The TOEFL exam will be held at the University of Pristina in November.
Sgt. 1st Class Matt Hogsett, of St. Clairesville, Ohio, and platoon sergeant with C Company, 1-150th, volunteered to act as the head cook because he wanted to make a difference. “I like cooking and was interested in making a lasting impact on Kosovo,” said Hogsett.
The desire to help is also what led Wellsburg, West Virginia resident, Sgt. Kurt Campbell, a petroleum supply specialist to volunteer. “This all helps because a lot of kids cannot afford the TOEFL,” said Campbell. “We wanted to assist them and open doors to a better future.”
C Co., 1-150th’s efforts also make a positive impact on the soldiers and civilians stationed at Camp Bondsteel.
“I always hear positive comments from soldiers during the week,” said Hogsett. “They tell me they are looking forward to Sunday.”
For soldiers it is a win-win situation, allowing them to have a homemade breakfast while gathering together to relax, socialize and make a positive contribution.
“Education is the only way to give people hope; knowledge empowers people,” said Staff Sgt. Elizabeth Deihl, non-commissioned officer in charge of patient administration with Task Force Medical. “We came here [Kosovo] to make a difference and provide for a better future and we can also do that by supporting the Waffle House.”
Sgt. Monica Hepker, an animal care specialist agreed.
The money soldiers are donating goes to a good cause, as everyone needs an education, said Hepker. The kids are the future of Kosovo and education makes a long-term impact. Plus it is a great place to gather on Sunday mornings to relax and chat with fellow soldiers.
Sgt. Richard Kyle, from Fairmont, W.Va. and a crew chief with C Company, 1-150th takes orders and donations most Sundays and said he is impressed with the generosity and consistency of the soldiers.
“This is a good thing to do and every week we have about 100-150 soldiers come through and help us raise money for the TOEFL,” said Kyle. “Donations are really good and the continued participation of our soldiers demonstrates their sincerity.”
For those who have not tried the waffles Figueroa encourages you to come out.
“The Waffle House is open to soldiers, civilians and local nationals located or working on Camp Bondsteel,” said Figueroa. “Come on out and try the ‘Big Duke.’ It is our most ordered waffle.”
Figueroa contributes the Waffle House’s ongoing success to soldiers living the Army value of Selfless Service.
“All of the workers volunteer their time and talents to make the Waffle House a success,” Figueroa said. “Everyone has been enthusiastic about sharing their skills, making friends and supporting a program that has the potential to change lives.”
| Date Taken: | 07.22.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 07.22.2011 11:49 |
| Story ID: | 74138 |
| Location: | PRISTINA, ZZ |
| Web Views: | 171 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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