Photo By Sgt. Samantha Stoffregen | Soldiers with 1st Squadron, 32nd Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st...... read more read more
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FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. - More than 30 Soldiers with 1st Squadron, 32nd Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) attended several events celebrating Veterans Day with their American’s Supporting American’s partnered city, Owensboro, Kentucky.
“Owensboro is a city supercharged with patriotism and a commitment to civil service,” said Capt. Lawrence McNamara III, commander of A Troop, 1st Sqdn., 32nd Cav. Regt. “One couple takes it upon themselves to organize an annual Veterans 5K run in memory of their son, who died in 2010 in Afghanistan, as well as all the other fallen veterans.
With all the racers running with pictures of fallen heroes on their backs, they carry a heavy weight of responsibility to honor the veterans with their 5K run, as well as with their lives. Nevertheless, it is quite energizing to run with those pictures as well, because it helps us to reflect on our calling to serve while we run.”
Owensboro and the “Bandits” squadron have maintained a close working partnership since the town adopted the unit, Archangel troop executive officer, 1st Lt. Steven Bauer, explained.
“It started when a Soldier from Owensboro was killed while serving with Alpha Troop, 1 Sqdn., 32nd Cav. Regt.,” Bauer said. “Since then, they’ve done a lot of things for us, like donating care packages and doing a lot of community work for Alpha troop. So Veteran’s Day was a chance for us to give back to the community and show our appreciation for all the things they’ve done for us.”
Over the course of several days, the Bandits participated in the community’s run, Veterans Day parade and a 50th anniversary ceremony for Vietnam veterans.
“The parade was simple, but powerful too,” McNamara said. “It was a great face-to-face reminder to the citizens of Owensboro of the Soldiers they support, and to us—the people we fight for.”
McNamra said the most powerful event by far was the Vietnam veterans ceremony on Nov. 15. Organized by the same couple who planned the 5K run, the event was an opportunity to recognize the Vietnam veterans from the Owensboro community and give them the welcome home ceremony they deserved.
“I really enjoyed getting to meet the veterans,” said Staff Sgt. Colten Baitch, a platoon sergeant for 3rd platoon, A Troop. “I’ve deployed four times and every time I interact with these older veterans, it humbles me.”
Baitch said a lot of his younger Soldiers that haven’t deployed, walked away from the Veterans Day events with a better perspective on what it really means to be a Soldier and the sacrifices they could be asked to make.
“They might not yet have deployed, but it’s like one of my Soldier’s said ‘it gives me hope that one day when I’m called to deploy, I want to be like the men I talked to today,’” Baitch said.
One of the veteran’s Baitch spoke to left him with some advice to pass on to his Soldiers. He said the veteran told him to teach his Soldiers that at the end of the day there is a bigger picture.
“It’s not about yourself, it’s about the people you serve,” Baitch said. “You don’t serve for yourself, you serve for your country.”
The Bandits all agreed that after everything the Owensboro community has done for the troop over the last several years, showing their appreciation by attending the Veterans Day events was the least the Soldiers could do.
“We were overwhelmed by the town’s gratitude for us and we appreciate the generous support they have provided us over the years,” McNamara said. “We were glad to express our gratitude for them at Owensboro to thank them for all they have done.”
| Date Taken: | 11.17.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 12.02.2015 14:09 |
| Story ID: | 183290 |
| Location: | FORT CAMPBELL, KY, US |
| Hometown: | OWENSBORO, KY, US |
| Web Views: | 111 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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