FORT STEWART, Ga. -- A large group of soldiers from the 26th Brigade Support Battalion “Challenger”, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, along with the 3rd ID’s Band, took the lead in Richmond Hill’s 18th Annual Hometown Christmas Parade held in the city’s downtown area, Dec. 7.
“It’s an honor to be able to represent the Division at events like this,” said Lt. Col. Beth Behn, commander, 26th BSB, 2nd ABCT.
Behn along with Command Sgt. Maj. Richard Harris, senior enlisted leader of the 26th BSB, 2nd ABCT, lead the parade followed by ‘Old Glory’ and the color guard. Behind the Challenger Command team and Color guard marched the 3rd ID Band, and behind them marched a formation of Challenger soldiers, followed by a High-Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle and then the rest of the parade.
The streets were lined with spectators of the parade, which had a “Down Home Country Christmas” theme to it.
The community came out in large numbers to support the event, and the Soldiers seemed to have a good time as they marched and sang cadence for those in attendance.
“It’s nice to see how the communities we are here to protect appreciate us,” said Behn. “Also, it’s good for the soldiers to feel that appreciation which we all certainly felt marching in the parade today.”