Transporters bring Midwestern game to Iraq

Courtesy Photo | Col. Mark E. Drake, commander of the 10th Sustainment Brigade, and a native of St. Paul, Minn., enjoys a game of corn-hole with some of his fellow Soldiers.  

TAJI, IRAQ

06.11.2009

Courtesy Story

10th Mountain Division Sustainment Brigade Public Affairs Office

CAMP TAJI, Iraq — Corn-hole is a game that has had a long-lasting run of popularity in the Midwestern U.S., particularly in Indiana. However, it is increasingly becoming popular for Soldiers at Camp Taji, Iraq.

Soldiers of the 1538th Transportation Company, 419th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 10th Sustainment Brigade, gather weekly to sponsor a friendly tournament of corn-hole at the company Morale, Welfare and Recreation area. Over the last few months it is interesting to see just who will show up for this fun-filled competition.

Prior to the redeployment of the 1st Squadron, 152nd Cavalry Regiment, also Indiana National Guard Soldiers, Col. Mark E. Drake, the 10th Sustainment Brigade commander and St. Paul, Minn., native, took a turn at a game of corn-hole with Lt. Col. Robert Burke, a Knightstown, Ind., native, and his staff.

There is typically a large showing of Soldiers from other units that participate in this Hoosier tradition. Many Soldiers said they will continue the game once they return home.

"While growing up in Montana, I played lots of horse shoes. The game of corn-hole reminds me a lot of those days but without the complications of finding a place to build horse shoe pits," said 1st Lt. Colin Curry, a native of Billings, Mont., who is currently serving with the 419th CSSB.

According to Warrant Officer Jeremy M. Deck, Headquarters, 10th Sustainment Brigade and a native of Bernville, Pa., "It is a great way to enjoy good fun, with great people in a relaxing atmosphere, in a not-so-relaxing place. It allows you to get to know people from all over the Army and the United States."

Corn-hole games are a staple at most Indiana family picnics and other family-oriented events. This craze grows more popular each year and the game is so addictive that once you start playing you will not want to stop.

"I look forward to getting home and building a set of corn-hole boards to bring out during family functions and barbecues," said Curry.

"It was the first time I ever played and I had a blast," said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Donald Dillon, a Johnson City, Tenn., native, and the maintenance officer for 991st Trans. Co., 419th CSSB. "You can be competitive or just have a good time. It helps ease the stress and promotes a good environment."

So just what is this game you ask. Corn-hole, or Corn Toss, is similar to horseshoes except you use wooden boxes called corn-hole platforms and corn bags instead of horseshoes and metal stakes. Contestants take turns pitching their corn bags at the corn-hole platform until a contestant reaches the score of 21 points. A corn bag in the hole scores 3 points, while one on the platform scores 1 point.

If you can aim and toss a corn bag 30 feet, you can master the game of corn-hole. Dillon summed up his perspective very simply, "Good friends and a good time." These Citizen Soldiers take great pride in this game and the heritage associated with Indiana.

Sgt. Lynn D. Ellyson, native of Indianapolis, said, "It is truly an honor to represent the great state of Indiana here in Iraq — a state with a great heritage, and vast opportunities available to all. Indiana is the birthplace of the great game known as corn-hole.

"This weekly, simple game allows Soldiers to have a break from the normal day- to-day life here as well as a connection to home while serving in Iraq," she said. Ellyson said, "I know it may be hard for some to believe, but our activities are very limited here. Therefore, playing corn-hole and introducing it to others here from other states is fantastic. The 1538th has a cookout every Thursday evening, and afterwards there is volleyball and corn-hole. This simple game has boosted morale and helped many Soldiers relax in hard times."

"I was first introduced to the game during our pass right before leaving Indiana, by my family," said 1st Lt. Brett Monroe, currently assigned as a platoon leader with the 1538th, and native of Sullivan, Ind. "My sister had painted Mom and Dad's corn-hole boards with a big ear of field corn, with the hole where the tassel would be, so each week when our Soldiers play the game, I'm reminded of home."

"There is more to Indiana than just corn, we have the game corn-hole too," said Ellyson.

The Soldiers of the 1538th are scheduled to return to Indiana sometime in the summer of 2009 and many Soldiers of this Hoosier unit hope the tradition lives on here in Iraq long after they return home.

• Date Taken: 06.11.2009
• Date Posted: 06.11.2009 09:23
• Story ID: 34884
• Location: TAJI, IQ