SEAGOVILLE, Texas - While many Americans are reminiscing the tenth anniversary of the World Trade Center tragedy, soldiers of the 961st Engineer Battalion here at the Army Reserve Center are training to enhance their war fighting capabilities during the Klondike derby competition.

The Klondike Derby is a team competition that is used to evaluate individual and squad level basic and military engineer skills. The competition is designed to promote teamwork and enhance the technical and tactical skills of the soldiers of the 961st Engineer Battalion.

“The Derby is a competition that originated in Milwaukee and now for the first time it is being held in Texas,” said Spc. Andrew Teel of Seagoville, who is assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 961st Engineer Battalion. “The derby was very challenging,” said Teel.

The competition pose mental and physical challenges to each team as well as build esprit de Corp to the unit. Motivation, determination and positive attitudes are what separates great Soldiers from average Soldiers.

“Klondike Derby IV is special this year because the first Pvt. Rene Arciniega Award will be presented to a motivated enthusiastic Soldier,” said Lt. Col. Kirk Claunch, 961st Engineer Battalion commander. “Pvt. Arciniega deserves this honor because he was a young enthusiastic soldier who brought a positive attitude to this unit that we would like to see from all soldiers,” continued Claunch.

Arciniega passed away on the morning of his nineteenth birthday trying to fulfill a lifelong dream, to earn a right to be called an American soldier. According to Claunch, Arciniega was an inspiration to many who had the opportunity to serve with him.