Subscribe
FORT BLISS, Texas. (May 18, 2018) -- The indestructible strength, willpower and courage that defines the complex relationship between Soldier and spouse was celebrated as the Division Artillery, 1st Armored Division held their annual Molly Pitcher event.
Molly Pitcher, a legendary heroine of the Revolutionary War, serves as a representation of the unbreakable bond between the Army, the Soldier and their spouse according to historian Emily J. Teipe, in her article “Will the Real Molly Pitcher Please Stand Up?” for the National Archives’ Prologue magazine.
Molly Pitcher, a nickname attributed to Mary Ludwig Hays, initially provided water to Soldiers throughout the Battle of Monmouth despite intense fighting. After her husband was removed from the battlefield, Pitcher took control of his cannon and continued the bombardment of the British, coyly remarking “that could have been worse,” as a cannonball came within inches of her during the battle.
As Molly Pitcher’s legacy grew in the decades after the Revolutionary War, she became the iconic figure of family and spousal support in the Army, explains Teipe.
“I’ve never done this before, so I was looking to try to see what my husband does,” said Stephanie Wisely. “I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it, just like they can.”
The day’s events included participation in the Fort Bliss Army Air Assault School’s obstacle course and conditioning course, rappelling from the school’s nearly 40-foot tower and completing virtual M4 rifle training at the Engagement Skills Trainer 2000.
“We were at the EST 2000, giving spouses an introduction to marksmanship,” said Staff Sgt. Jason Fillmore, a digital training management system trainer and operations noncommissioned officer assigned to DIVARTY. “Now they’ll have an understanding of what their Soldiers are doing when they say ‘Hey, I’ve got to go to the range.’”
The spouses confronted challenging obstacles and crippling fears of heights while at the school’s rappel tower, obstacle course and conditioning courses. Spouses and Soldiers cheered with contagious shouts and encouragement as the spouses jumped, climbed and rappelled their way through and over the dreaded obstacles.
“The Molly Pitcher event is all about showing the special bond between Soldiers and their spouses that don’t exist in other occupations,” said Candice Carter. “The best part of the day is spending it with all the spouses.”
“It’s definitely rewarding giving back to this community,” said Sgt. 1st Class Ryan Johnson, the noncommissioned officer in charge of the school. “They get to be on the military post and have the full experience of it, and we get to further build those bonds.”
| Date Taken: | 05.18.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 05.24.2018 16:29 |
| Story ID: | 278183 |
| Location: | FORT BLISS, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 30 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Tenacity, strength shown by spouses in annual Molly Pitcher event, by SGT Matthew Marcellus, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
LEAVE A COMMENT