By Sgt. Merrion LaSonde
CAMP COOKE, Taji, Iraq - An autographed pennant from the Dallas Mavericks; a jersey worn by former Orlando Magic team member Tracy McGrady; a picture of star franchise player Reggie Miller of the Indiana Pacers. These are just a few of the many items of sports paraphernalia that cover the walls and ceiling of the Command Sgt. Maj. Eric Cooke Sports Café Dining Facility at Camp Cooke.
Prior to its opening day, 1st Lt. Deon Maxwell, adjutant for the 27th Main Support Battalion, Division Support Command, 1st Cavalry Div., sent letters to the National Basketball Association, National Football and Hockey Leagues, as well as many others, requesting donations of sports memorabilia in honor of Cooke. Maxwell has already received enough to rotate the items currently on display."The response has been awesome," Maxwell said. "We have already gotten so much and more arrives every day. I am waiting on an autographed basketball from the Miami Heat."
Along with the national sports organizations, some universities jumped on the bandwagon as well. The University of South Carolina sent flags and banners with a promise of more to come.Not to be out done, World Wrestling Entertainment contributed a championship belt signed by none other than Kurt Angle, Edge and Christian.
Lt. Col. Carl Bird, commander of the 27th MSB, explained how the idea started and then how it all came together."The assistant division commander for support saw the Sports Oasis at Camp Victory and tasked us to do something similar with our dining facility," Bird said. "It was a battalion effort to overhaul the DFAC from decorations to the food."Members of the 27th MSB performed a mission analysis as well as taking requests from the Soldiers via the suggestion box available in the DFAC.
"The Soldiers were not happy with the DFAC," said Maxwell. "They wanted improvements. We went the extra mile and improved the food quality and selection as well as creating an environment for the Soldiers to get away and relax."Sgt. Victor Delgado, a cook with Headquarters Company, 980th Engineer Battalion, 1st Cav. Div., has seen and heard many responses from the Soldiers."I am seeing more people in the chow hall," said Delgado, a native of Austin, Texas.
"The atmosphere has changed. It is a more comfortable environment and the food has improved. Most of the responses in the suggestion box have been very positive."Pvt. Adam Prince, a member of the Iraqi National Guard coordination team, 39th Brigade Combat Team, enjoys the sports theme of the café as well as the many items decorating the facility.
"Sports mean a lot to many Soldiers over here," said Prince, a native of Little Rock, Ark. "It is going to be great to root on our favorite ball clubs, especially when the playoffs roll around. The World Series, Super Bowl, NBA Finals; they are a part of America. We grew up watching them with our fathers, brothers, friends and now our fellow Soldiers. The café brings a part of home to us. Those small things make time go by a little faster."
| Date Taken: | 08.25.2004 |
| Date Posted: | 08.25.2004 14:10 |
| Story ID: | 270 |
| Location: | CAMP COOKE, IQ |
| Web Views: | 78 |
| Downloads: | 44 |
This work, Donated Sports Memorabilia Adorns Camp Cooke DFAC, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
