Early morning missions are not unusual for the “Stagecoach” Soldiers of the 68th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 4th Sustainment Brigade, 4th Infantry Division.
However, the Soldiers departed their motor pool and company area April 28, 2016, but instead of providing support to a Fort Carson unit they headed to Ridgeview Elementary School in Colorado Springs in support of the post’s Adopt-A-School Program.
Invited by the students at Ridgeview Elementary School, the 68th CSSB Soldiers provided a day of fun activities including Humvee and Light Medium Tactical Vehicle static displays. The original plan called for outdoor activities but due to the spring snowstorm the event was moved inside the school.
An obstacle course in the gymnasium, a game of “Simon Says” in the music room, “Hot Potato” and a sack race allowed the students and Soldiers to spend time together filled with amusement and camaraderie.
“A few months ago a small group of our students (who) made up a support group for kids who have parents in the military (who) are deployed asked if Soldiers from Fort Carson could bring some of their military vehicles to the school,” said Marjorie McKeal, Ridgeview Elementary School Assistant Principal. “What started out as a question grew into what we have here today.”
Lt. Col. Erin Gilliam, 68th CSSB commander, said the decision to support the event was an easy one.
“It’s great that we can get out and support a community that supports us in so many ways,” Gilliam said. “In the 4th Sustainment Brigade we believe that strong sergeants are the foundation of a strong unit. We also believe that if we can help build strong students in our local schools that will result in building an even stronger community.”
According to Katherine Matzen, school psychologist at Ridgeview Elementary, the idea came from four Ridgeview students: Hadley Stokes, Trent Thomas, Gabriel Ribeiro and Jonathan Talbot.
“I thought it would be nice if they could come up with something to do for the school to help raise awareness of military life,” she said. “They came up with all the ideas of the obstacle courses and bringing military vehicles. I thought their ideas were too big, but with the help of our assistant principal and the kids not allowing me to downplay their ideas, we were able to make today happen.”
The students who came up with the idea of having the Army come to Ridgeview Elementary said the day couldn’t have gone any better.
“I wanted other kids to know what it’s like to be in the military,” said Jonathan.
Trent added, “I hope my friends had a great time today and gained some experience (of) what’s it like to be in the Army.”
For the Soldiers of 68th CSSB it was an opportunity to take a break from their normal routine to spend the day with the students.
“We focus a lot of our time training and sharpening our Soldier skills,” said Sgt. Shanricka King, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 68th CSSB. “Despite the snow and cold conditions today, it’s still very nice to come and hang out with these great kids and show them our vehicles and answer the questions they have.”
Spc. David Estrella, 59th Quartermaster Company, 68th CSSB, agreed, “I love interacting with the kids here. It’s cool to be able to raise their spirits and help them have fun. Hopefully this is a day that they will remember for a long time.”
| Date Taken: | 05.09.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 07.18.2016 18:42 |
| Story ID: | 204296 |
| Location: | COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, US |
| Web Views: | 53 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, 68th CSSB builds bond with students, by SFC John Cortez, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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