‘Santa Fe Week’ celebrates centennial

Photo By Staff Sgt. Jeremy Miller | Sgt. 1st Class Antwon Morris, assigned to the 29th Infantry Division, prepares to shoot a basketball during the three-point shootout during Santa Fe Week at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, Sept. 9, 2017. Santa Fe week marks the 100th anniversary of the 35th Infantry Division which first stood up at Camp Doniphan, Oklahoma, Aug. 25, 1917.  

CAMP ARIFJAN, KUWAIT

09.04.2017

Story by Staff Sgt. Jeremy Miller 

35th Infantry Division

CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait--- Soldiers of the 35th Infantry Division participated in a variety of week-long social activities and events from Sept. 4-10 in recognition of their recent 100 year anniversary, at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait.
‘Santa Fe Week’ began with a battalion run, which ended with Soldiers getting “cooled down” by the Arifjan Fire Department.
Maj. Gen. Victor J. Braden, 35th Inf. Div. commanding general, gave a few remarks to the troops gathered at the conclusion of the run.
“The US Soldier is unique in the fact that no matter what the odds are on the battlefield, they will find a way to win,” said Braden. “Our will to win is a testament to our strength, both mentally and physically, and is the greatest contributor to our success.”
Other events in the week-long celebration included a medallion hunt, a movie night featuring Kelly’s Heroes, a camp-wide 5k, and an organizational day that featured a number of friendly competitive events.
“It was a good change of pace,” said Col. Dirk Christian, 35th Inf. Div. engagements chief. “Everything was really well-organized and I think everyone had fun getting out of the office and participating.”
The last day of Santa Fe Week included a three-point shoot-out, a horseshoe competition, a dodgeball tournament, a Humvee pull, and a barbecue cook-off.
“Thanks to the Kansas City Barbecue Society and several Kansas City barbecue companies, the 35th Infantry Division got to celebrate, Kansas City style,” said 35th Inf. Div. Fires Sgt. Maj. James Fenton, also a KCBS master judge. “We received several care packages full of sauces, rubs, shirts, hats and more.”
During the centennial celebration, US Army Capt. Alex Adelman, an aviator assigned to Headquarters Support Company, 35th Inf. Div., reflected on the perseverance of Soldiers who served before him.
“The men and women who came before us had to do more with less than we are blessed with,” said Adelman. “Even those from Desert Storm had significantly more challenging conditions with fewer sophisticated tools than what we have today.”
Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Van, 35th Inf. Div. deputy commanding general, says the history of the Santa Fe Division from World War I resonates loudly while currently deployed in the Middle East.
“One hundred years ago, Soldiers from Missouri and Kansas were activated to serve in the ‘war to end all wars’,” said Van. “Today, our Soldiers are again deployed, serving the nation in the calling of their time.”
The 35th Inf. Div. was organized Aug. 25, 1917 at Camp Doniphan, Oklahoma as a unit of the National Guard with troops from Missouri and Kansas.
During the same week that the celebration was held in 1945, the 35th Inf. Div. was in Europe and began to set its battle sights on Nancy, France. On Sept. 10, 1945 the 35th attacked the German line, then synchronized its assault with the Third Army at Metz on the German border.
Sgt. 1st Class Robert Jorgensen, a combat engineer assigned to the 35th Inf. Div., says the most valuable asset today’s Soldier can learn from our predecessors, is honor.
“Whether they volunteered, were drafted or joined under extenuating circumstances, they did their jobs to the best of their abilities,” said Jorgensen. “Many made the ultimate sacrifice for their country, their units, and even their battle buddies. After many thousands of casualties, they still pressed on to victory.”

• Date Taken: 09.04.2017
• Date Posted: 09.22.2017 03:35
• Story ID: 248819
• Location: CAMP ARIFJAN, KW