Photo By Spc. Rochelle Prince-Krueger | Soldiers assigned to the 87th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 3rd Sustainment...... read more read more
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FORT STEWART, Ga. -- Every year during the month of November, the Nation comes together and recognizes Veterans for their bravery and sacrifice and celebrates the heroic deeds that our Veterans have accomplished throughout the world.
Across the country, parades and ceremonies are held at all levels, from the smallest of towns to the very capital of the nation.
Coastal Georgia is no different in those regards, yet there is one thing different about Veterans Day celebrations here than in other parts of the country.
The 3rd Infantry Division “Rock of the Marne,” takes part in them.
From Nov. 7-13, Soldiers from the Rock participated in 19 different events in the surrounding communities. They even stretched their legs a bit and participated in events in Florida and South Carolina.
“It’s an opportunity to really show what 3rd ID is about, to demonstrate the Soldier’s discipline through drill and ceremony, and to show how much we appreciate [the community],” explained Lt. Col. Dave Lander, deputy commander, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team.
Lander lead his troops in marching in the Liberty County Veterans Day parade held in Hinesville, Ga., yet the 2nd IBCT wasn’t the only one to represent the 3rd ID during Veterans Day.
Soldiers of the 3rd Sustainment Brigade, 3rd ID, joined Glynn County residents and took part in the Golden Isles Veterans Day parade at St. Simons Island, Ga. while Soldiers of the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, 3rd ID, marched in Savannah’s Veterans Day parade held in downtown Savannah; just to name a few of the units that joined local communities in for their celebrations.
Of course one couldn’t mention 3rd ID and Veterans Day in the same sentence and not speak of the greatest band in the land, the 3rd Infantry Division Band. The band marched and played in both Savannah’s and Liberty County’s Parades on the same day, something that seemed much appreciated by those in attendance for the parade in Hinesville.
“As soon as we [began the parade] people were already lined on the road and it was that way all the way to downtown,” said Lander. “Coming from small-town-America myself, I was really surprised by just how many people were out here… I was very impressed and pleased to see that.”
It seemed as if the spectators were just as impressed.
“We go to the parade every year,” said Sgt. 1st Class (retired) Mike Pacheco, a member of the Liberty County community for more than 10 years. “They were great, even [my son agreed] there were a lot more Soldiers this year than we thought there would be.”
All in all, while it seems the 3rd Infantry Division, a legendary Division in its own right, provided a military might seldom seen in Veterans Day events elsewhere, the truly legendary action on Veterans Day this year was that of the citizens of Coastal Georgia.
“A lot has happened the last 10 years with our country and our military, and it’s always good to see the support of the local people behind you 100 percent,” said Lander. “That’s what [the community] showed us today.”
| Date Taken: | 11.15.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 11.15.2015 00:48 |
| Story ID: | 181981 |
| Location: | FORT STEWART, GA, US |
| Web Views: | 231 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Veterans Day in Coastal Georgia, by SSG Richard Wrigley, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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