XVIII Airborne Corps celebrates holiday season

Photo By Spc. Nathaniel Gayle | Staff Sgt. Adrian Patoka, a mass communication public affairs sergeant assigned to the 22nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, and his Family decorate tree ornaments at the Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, XVIII Airborne Corps holiday party Dec. 13, 2019 at Fort Bragg, N.C. The event brought Soldiers and Families together from across the battalion to raise morale during the holiday season. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Nathaniel Gayle, 22nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)  

FORT BRAGG, NC, UNITED STATES

12.13.2019

Story by Pfc. Nathaniel Gayle 

22nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment   

FORT BRAGG, N.C. – During the holiday season, it is common for friends, Families and coworkers to come together.
In the spirit of the holiday season, Soldiers and Family members filled PAX Shed 3 here during the Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, XVIII Airborne Corps’ Annual Holiday Party Dec. 13, 2019.

“It’s important to attend an event such as this one,” said 2nd Lt. Kathryn Strauss, a platoon leader assigned to the Signal, Intelligence, and Sustainment Company, XVIII Airborne Corps. “It is a great way to build camaraderie amongst the unit and meet the Families of my Soldiers. Spending time with Soldiers outside of the workplace is one of my favorite things to do.”

Packed into this event was a holiday-themed table-decorating contest, table stations for children to design and decorate cookies and tree ornaments, a holiday bingo game, a holiday-themed “Family Feud” competition between units in the battalion, an ugly-sweater contest, a chili cookoff, and many more activities.

“Not just during the holiday season, but throughout the year, it is important to organize events that allow us as Soldiers, with or without Family, to share time together to form stronger bonds and build unit cohesion,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Krista Keune, the Command Sgt. Maj. of HHBN, XVIII Airborne Corps. “This is a time when you can really get to know someone you wouldn’t have a chance to at work, being so focused on daily operations.”

This yearly holiday party is organized through the work of Soldier volunteers, Family members, and sponsors via the battalion Soldier and Family Readiness Group.

• Date Taken: 12.13.2019
• Date Posted: 12.17.2019 12:09
• Story ID: 356000
• Location: FORT BRAGG, NC, US