Photo By Sgt. Toby Cook | Pictured from left to right: A Company, 201st Brigade Support Battalion commander,...... read more read more
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FORT KNOX, Ky. – The Fourth of July is a time for remembrance of our nation’s independence and of course fireworks. Three soldiers from A Company, 201st Brigade Support Battalion, used this time to show their dedication and patriotism to our country by re-enlisting to continue service to their nation during a time of war.
These soldiers raised their right hands during this year’s Fourth of July celebration held at Fort Knox’s Brooks field despite outdoor temperatures in excess of 100 degrees.
Spc. Brent Almeling, Spc. Vanessa Aranda, and Spc. Jose Rojas comprised this special group of soldiers.
Almeling said, despite the sweltering heat, it was a good day to reenlist.
“It’s a great thing”, said Almeling. “I mean what better day to reenlist in the United States Army and what more of a patriotic event than at a huge fireworks extravaganza.”
A Company commander, Capt. Christopher Lucas, agreed that the event offered a break from the usual.
“Being out there on the 4th of July was really awesome,” said Lucas. “It was a prime opportunity to let those soldiers reenlist in front of a crowd instead of [behind the company] like we normally do.”
Friends, family, and fellow attendee’s watched as these individuals reaffirmed their contract with the nation through additional years of active duty service.
Many family members came out to show their support for the soldiers who reenlisted, and some of the soldiers said their family was a big part of the reason they did so.
“I am proud to be able to serve my country longer,” said Rojas. “I know I have the support of my family.”
“It felt great that I had the opportunity to re-enlist,” said Aranda. “To be able to continue my job and to support my son.”
The idea to re-enlist on July 4 was proposed to the soldiers by Lucas. The soldiers said they were glad he thought of it.
“Capt. Lucas brought the idea up to me and I thought it was a good idea”, said Aranda.” I thought it would be something to remember.”
Capt. Lucas said that he is glad anytime he gets to do a re-enlistment for a soldier.
“When it comes to reenlistments I try to give them my very best,” said Lucas. “It’s not something [soldiers] get to do every day. This [re-enlistment] was especially important to me because of the nature of it.”
Following the re-enlistment ceremony, the soldiers, in fitting fashion, joined the rest of A Company to listen to live music and watch fireworks, two symbols of the freedom they had only moments before pledged to defend all over again.
| Date Taken: | 07.04.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 08.14.2012 11:54 |
| Story ID: | 93191 |
| Location: | FORT KNOX, KY, US |
| Web Views: | 129 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Duke Brigade soldiers re-enlist during Independence Day celebration, by SGT Toby Cook, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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