Photo By Staff Sgt. Christopher Calvert | Kristin Branham (left), a volunteer and donor from the city of Onion Creek, Texas,...... read more read more
Subscribe
FORT HOOD, Texas –Thanksgiving is upon us, and the start of the holiday season is right around the corner.
This is a jovial time of year which many choose to spend with their loved ones; however, that’s not always an option for service members.
In order to combat this, the 1st Cavalry Division and other organizations on post and in the local community are doing their part to spread cheer throughout the ranks.
“Our intent is to support Soldiers, especially during the holiday season,” said Master Sgt. Jared Stokes, chaplain noncommissioned officer in charge, 1st Cav. Div. and a Copperas Cove native. “Fellow Soldiers and local organizations like to volunteer their time and make donations during the holiday period because people want to help and support Soldiers.”
During the past few weeks, there have been numerous events held to support those in need, including the Food for Families drive in the Killeen Special Events Center at Killeen, Texas, which saw local organizations team with Soldiers from the Great Place to collect staple food donations Nov. 20.
“It was an honor to get to help those who may otherwise go without,” said Pfc. Timothy Burtch, an armor crewman with Demon Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cav. Div. and a Minot, North Dakota native who assisted during the event. “Looking out for each other is what it’s all about, and it’s great we got to do this as a community.”
In addition to the Food for Families drive, the city of Onion Creek, Texas and others donated turkeys and traditional Thanksgiving goods for about 500 Soldiers and their families which were distributed Monday at the Spirit of Fort Hood Chapel here.
“Our community always comes together to help other members of the community,” said Lt. Col. Dennis Hysom, chaplain, 1st Cav. Div. “It’s about getting together across our formation, reaffirming our Army Values as seniors, leaders and peers, and taking care of those to our left and right.”
Realizing that not all Soldiers have the financial means to go home during the holidays, the Armed Services YMCA partnered with Jack Daniel’s for the fifth annual Operation Ride Home - a program which helps offset the cost of traveling home in the continental U.S. for junior enlisted service members and their families.
In addition to this, Hysom said the 1st Cav. Div. unit ministry team has already began planning holiday services for those remaining on post, as he said it’s important to bring Soldiers a little slice of home that they may otherwise miss.
“This time of year is very important to all of us, especially those who can’t go home,” Hysom said. “We want to provide the same types of services that Troopers would celebrate back home.”
With programs like Santa’s Workshop here and upcoming, slated Strong Bonds retreats for single Soldiers and married alike, Hysom said the military is doing its part to support warfighters.
“We want them to know we care, and we’re here for them,” said Hysom.
For more information about Strong Bonds retreats, Operation Ride Home, Santa’s Workshop or holiday services, contact your unit ministry team.
| Date Taken: | 11.24.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 11.24.2015 16:00 |
| Story ID: | 182774 |
| Location: | FORT HOOD, TX, US |
| Hometown: | COPPERAS COVE, TX, US |
| Hometown: | MINOT, ND, US |
| Web Views: | 52 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, First Team helps Troopers celebrate Thanksgiving, holiday season, by SSG Christopher Calvert, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT