2CR kicks off very first Team Day

Photo By Staff Sgt. LaShic Patterson | Kaitlin Knauer, the Family Readiness Support Assistant for 2d Cavalry Regiment, helps kick of Team Day with Welcome Committee volunteers, Ashley Niemiec and Kodi Horton, at the Rose Barracks Multipurpose Center in Vilseck, Germany Nov. 16, 2018. Knauer began her career as a Family Readiness Liaison, a volunteer position that supports the morale and welfare of Soldiers and their families. (Photo by U.S. Army Sgt. LaShic Patterson)  

GERMANY

11.20.2018

Story by Sgt. LaShic Patterson 

2d Cavalry Regiment

Soldiers and families of the 2d Cavalry Regiment participate in Team Day at the Rose Barracks Multipurpose Center in Vilseck, Germany, Nov. 16, 2018. The purpose of the event was to connect Soldiers and families with the local community through a day of activities, food and beverages.

More than 50 organizations, such as the Grafenwoehr Performing Arts Center, Bavarian Ski Club, Boys to Men Mentoring, Relay for Life, Bavarian Soccer Academy, Warrior Zone and Creative Arts Fundamentals, were present in support of approximately 4,600 Soldiers and 1,000 family members according to Kaitlin Knauer, the Family Readiness Support Assistant for 2CR.

“It was an RCO [regimental commander] initiative to bring everyone together in one spot getting people signed up for activities,” said Knauer, who has been with 2CR for two and a half years starting out as a Family Readiness Group volunteer. The FRG volunteer is a position that is vital to the welfare of Soldiers and their families.

“I love Soldiers; I’m a Soldier. I was actually honored,” said Christine Anne N. Fiala, former Army officer now owner, artist and instructor of Creative Arts Fundamentals, remembering when Knauer asked her to be a part of the event.

The organization, Creative Art Fundamentals, provides art lessons to people of all ages in the Bavarian community with the mission “to reveal your creative self in the moments you dare to show how you see the world” according to Fiala. Her table included selections of her artwork along with canvases, brushes and plenty of colors that welcomed Soldiers to paint their support for their unit.

Movies, gaming, karaoke, pool and sporting events are just some of the many activities that Warrior Zone offers Soldiers and guests along with free Wi-Fi access and lounge areas on weekdays 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. and weekends 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Mark Carr, the facility manager of Warrior Zone, served as a representative of his organization at Team Day and discussed his strong connections to the community having lived in Germany since 1987. The purpose of the organization is “to get people to relax and not have everyday stress of [their] jobs,” said Carr.

Knauer’s hope for Soldiers and their families is to increase their access to positive extra-curricular activities. Team Day is a step towards that direction, encouraging Soldiers into having safe holidays and time off with their families and bringing that precedent into the new year.

• Date Taken: 11.20.2018
• Date Posted: 11.20.2018 11:19
• Story ID: 300661
• Location: DE