Photo By Spc. Joshua Zayas-Sabogal | U.S. Soldiers hold the the American flag during the beginning of the Broncos game at...... read more read more
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Throughout the first few weeks of November, 4th Infantry Division Soldiers participated in a multitude of events across the state of Colorado in honor of Veterans Day 2021.
To start out the festivities, Ivy Soldiers led the Veterans Day parade, Nov. 6, in downtown Colorado Springs. The 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, the 4th Infantry Division Band and Mounted Color Guard marched through the streets and passed by the bright smiling faces of Colorado Springs residents. The parade, composed of Colorado Springs community members and Ivy Soldiers, was a commemorating exhibition of respect to military service members both past and present.
“It's a privilege to be able to come here and pay respect, not just to our Soldiers, but to all the veterans that have marched here today and who are out showing support for the community and our veterans,” said Lt. Col. Aaron Morrison, rear commander of 1st SBCT.
During the Veterans Day weekend, the Ivy Division participated in a few Colorado sports military appreciation games.
1st SBCT arranged for one of their Soldiers, Staff Sgt. Edwards Schaff, to reenlist during the Colorado Avalanche vs. the Vancouver Canucks game, Nov. 11. The next day, a group of Ivy Soldiers got the opportunity to raise their right hand and enlist at the Denver Nuggets game at the Ball Arena, Nov. 12. Having these ceremonies occur so close to this year’s Veterans Day was the perfect occasion to reflect and give tribute to past service members and motivate new and current Soldiers to continue serving proudly.
In Fort Collins, Colorado, Colorado State University held another military appreciation game against the Air Force Academy on Nov. 13. 4th Inf. Div. sent static displays of Stryker’s, Abraham’s and an Apache helicopter as a way of showing support for the college's Reserve Officers Training Corps program. The exciting game displayed the friendly competition between other military branches as well as their respect for one another.
Finally, the Denver Broncos held a military appreciation game at Empower Field at Mile High, Denver, Colorado on Nov. 14, against the Philadelphia Eagles. Thirty Ivy and Fort Carson Soldiers were chosen to present the American flag during the playing of the National Anthem. In addition to the honor of presenting the flag, the participating Soldiers were also given passes to watch the rest of the game.
“It honestly gave me goosebumps,” said Sgt. Anaylis Ledo, an emergency care sergeant assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 4th Inf. Div. “All the people who reacted to us as we came out, clapping for us and thanking us, honestly made me feel very proud of what we do.”
Four-day weekends and other fun events often make us forget why we celebrate Veterans Day. It's a day to look back and think of the Soldiers who gave years of their lives or lost their lives for the U.S. Military. Whether Army, Air Force, Marines, Navy, Coast Guard or Space Force, it's crucial to celebrate the freedoms past service members fought for as well as the freedoms current service members continue to fight for.
“It’s really important to recognize those that came before us and those who broke barriers so that we can be here,” said Sgt. 1st Class James Gleason, senior intelligence analyst for Division Artillery, 4th Inf. Div. “They fought those hard fights for us so that our kids don't have to.”
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| Date Taken: | 11.15.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 11.16.2021 12:25 |
| Story ID: | 409410 |
| Location: | FORT CARSON, CO, US |
| Web Views: | 237 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Honoring Heroic and Unforgettable Service, by SPC Joshua Zayas-Sabogal, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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