Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Craig Cantrell | Sandy Urban, energy therapist, explains the massage process before a session to...... read more read more
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FORT CARSON, Colo. – The City of Manitou Springs hosted a Wellness Day for the spouses of Fort Carson’s recently deployed 1st Battalion, 2nd Aviation Regiment, Feb. 15.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity for us to express our appreciation for not just the men and women in uniform, who serve our country so well, but to the families that often bear an incredible burden when their loved ones are deployed and away,” said Manitou Springs Mayor Marc Snyder.
Snyder formally kicked off the day’s events at the City Hall by introducing himself to the group, giving a brief history of the city and saying a few words about the connections the people of Manitou Springs are trying to make with the surrounding military community.
“As mayor, I’ve long been a little dismayed that we don’t have more of a relationship with our military installations here in the region, specifically Fort Carson,” said Snyder.
The city opened its doors to a day of pampering, including free massages, gift bags and a tour of the city for the “Attack” Battalion spouses.
“Knowledge that good people are caring for our loved ones' health and wellness while we are away is not only a source of solace to us, but also of great strength,” said Lt. Col. David Moga, Commander, 1st Bn., 2nd Avn. Regt.
The event is the culmination of an idea put forth by an Attack Battalion spouse, Maria Cristina Hernandez, whose husband, Chief Warrant Officer 4 Peter Hernandez, an AH-64D Apache pilot, flew a mission earlier that morning in Afghanistan.
Hernandez collaborated with local business owner Kathleen Morrow, who proposed the idea to the Manitou Springs City Council to organize the day of pampering.
The proposal went before officials in the Manitou Springs City Council, and local business owners.
Manitou Springs business owners gave the spouses discount coupons, discounts on food and drinks, and 25 volunteer therapists, offering free massages set up massage tables at six different locations around town.
“This is a small way for us to give back a little bit,” said Snyder
The Wellness Day volunteers introduced the spouses to the community, outlining the agenda for the day, and breaking the attendees up into groups to begin exploring the city.
Attack battalion loved ones wandered the historical city taking in the sights and learning about the history of the city, before breaking for lunch.
The day’s events culminated at approximately 1:30 p.m., when the blaring screeches of police sirens replaced the tranquil sounds of the small city. Three police vehicles converged on the town’s roundabout blocking off the three entrances into the circle.
The sirens drew the attention of those who could hear the noise and a crowd began to gather around the roundabout’s edges.
In the middle of the roundabout stood musicians, and people began to dance freely as the instruments bellowed out their notes.
The crowd of dancers began with 30 Manitou Springs residents, but gradually as the musicians began to play faster, the troupe doubled in size as onlookers joined in on the festivities.
The instruments fell silent and the dancers began to clap their hands as the display came to a close, and the crowd began to dissipate, signaling the end of the day of pampering for the Attack Battalion spouses.
The spouses found their way back to their vehicles and stopped into local shops before returning to their daily lives.
“The fact that the entire town has gotten together to say we support you, it is such an honor, and it feels so good to feel like people really do support you,” said Trish Karlson, wife of Chief Warrant Officer 2 Matthew Karlson. “We don’t get that a lot, so it’s very special.”
| Date Taken: | 02.15.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 02.21.2012 17:11 |
| Story ID: | 84128 |
| Location: | FORT CARSON, CO, US |
| Web Views: | 91 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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