Photo By Staff Sgt. Robert Larson | Lt. Col. Patrick Knight, commander of the 1st Battalion, 337th Brigade Support...... read more read more
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By Staff Sgt. Robert Larson
181st Multi-Functional Training Brigade Public Affairs
Veterans Day is a day to honor those who have served in the nation’s armed forces. For Soldiers in one Fort McCoy battalion, they set up an event near Veterans Day to show their appreciation to veterans.
More than 15 Soldiers with the 1st Battalion, 337th Brigade Support Battalion (1st, 337th), 181st Multi-Functional Training Brigade at Fort McCoy volunteered their time Nov. 13 at the Veteran’s Affairs (VA) Medical Center in Tomah, Wis.
The Soldiers of the Marauder Battalion helped serve lunch in the Spirit of Freedom dining facility and ate lunch and talked with many veterans there before moving on to some of the long-term care “neighborhood” floors to spend time with veterans who are staying at the medical center for more extensive care.
The visit was the initiative of Command Sgt. Maj. Ernest Peterson, 1st, 337th senior noncommissioned officer. After contacting the Voluntary Services Offices at the medical center, it was determined that enjoying a meal together and serving food would be a great opportunity for the Soldiers to interact with veterans.
“We always love to have organizations come in and provide a day of service,” said Jennifer Conzemius, voluntary services officer for the Tomah VA. “We are always looking for groups to come in and spend time with our veterans.”
After serving lunch and sitting with many veterans in the dining facility, Conzemius split the Soldiers into small groups and sent them to other areas of the facility to engage with those veterans in the “neighborhood” areas.
Lt. Col. Patrick Knight, commander of the 1st, 337th, spent time with 96-year-old World War II veteran Ralph Johnson and Curtis “Doc” Baltz, a 1st Cavalry Division veteran of the Vietnam War. Both Johnson and Baltz enjoyed their time talking with the commander.
“I enjoyed talking with them very much,” said Johnson. “They conducted themselves in a good manner, and I consider them good friends.”
“They were charming gentlemen,” said Baltz. “It’s always good to have Soldiers come visit.”
As the afternoon continued, the Soldiers played cards and games, went bowling, took walks around the medical center campus, and socialized with the veterans and staff.
“What better week to show our appreciation to those who served before us?” Peterson said.
“This event touched the hearts of many, put smiles on the faces of the veterans and Soldiers alike, and brought a lot of laughter to the entire VA Medical Center.”
| Date Taken: | 11.21.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 11.21.2019 11:08 |
| Story ID: | 352769 |
| Location: | TOMAH, WI, US |
| Web Views: | 145 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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