Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Mary Katzenberger | Sgt. Adam T. Ross-Schmid, a native of Kremmling, Colo., and a cryptologic linguist...... read more read more
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FORT STEWART, Ga. – “Sentinels” from 4-3 Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, spread holiday cheer, Dec. 8, at the Carl Vinson Veterans Affairs Hospital in Dublin, Ga.
The “Vanguard” soldiers teamed up with the Hinesville chapter of the Vietnam Veterans of America, soldiers from Winn Army Community Hospital and members of the 3rd Infantry Division Band to deliver decorated bags of fruit and candy to veterans seeking care at the hospital.
Paul Spence, with the Vietnam Veterans of America and spokesperson for the event, said his organization has been putting the gift bags together for 15 years so that soldiers form the 3rd Inf. Div. can distribute them during the holiday season. Each year, he said, Fort Stewart and Hinesville-area schoolchildren decorate the bags.
“This is what we do,” Spence said. “We love it.”
“Vanguard” soldiers visited veterans in several areas of the hospital, including the Alzheimer’s ward. Every veteran had a story to tell about his service in the past.
Staff Sgt. John M. Miller, a human intelligence collector with Company B, 4-3 BSTB, said he was most struck by the story a Korean War veteran told about his two-year detention in a Chinese Prisoner of War camp. Miller said the man told an amazing story of survival and the power of faith.
“The people that we meet and speak to, especially the old veterans—the World War II and the Korean [War] veterans—they’re the ones who, I feel, blazed the path for us,” Miller said. “They did what they did so we can continue to do what we do.”
Miller echoed what one veteran said when he said that many of the veterans in the hospital crave company.
“A lot of these veterans—these ex-Soldiers, ex-warriors—don’t have a lot of family,” Miller said. “All they have are their memories and the people coming to see them, so I always leave with a really good feeling.”
Miller said he wished more soldiers had the opportunity to make the trips to the hospital because it brings a sense of accomplishment.
“To see the look on [the veterans’] faces when you’re a fellow soldier coming to speak to them—it’s very rewarding,” Miller said.
| Date Taken: | 12.08.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 12.12.2011 11:51 |
| Story ID: | 81235 |
| Location: | FORT STEWART, GA, US |
| Web Views: | 34 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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