Community honors five during Fireflies game

Photo By Thomas Byrd | Col. Kent G. Solheim, 165th Infantry Regiment commander, speaks to more than 500 attendees of the Columbia Fireflies baseball game June 18. Solheim introduced the attendees to trainees of 3rd Battalion, 13th Infantry Regiment, who attended the game to show their support to five Soldiers who re-enlisted during pre-game activities. The trainees were treated to hot dogs and soda during the game.  

FORT JACKSON, SOUTH CAROLINA, UNITED STATES

06.18.2022

Story by Alexandra Shea 

Fort Jackson Public Affairs Office

More than 500 Columbia area residents honored five Fort Jackson Soldiers who re-enlisted during pre-game activities as the Columbia Fireflies took on the Carolina Mudcats June 18.

Col. Kent G. Solheim, 165th Infantry Regiment commander, presided over the Oath of Enlistment to the Soldiers as they stood near home plate.

“I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic,” Solheim said as he delivered the oath. “That I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same.”

Once the Soldiers completed the oath they were congratulated with a loud round of applause and shouts of encouragement from the baseball game attendees.

Also in attendance of the game, roughly 200 trainees from 3rd Battalion, 13th Infantry Regiment. The trainees were treated to hot dogs and drinks in addition to the double header game. While sitting in the first base seating section, the trainees were able to catch the majority of pop-up and ‘fly’ baseballs that launched over the safety netting.

Solheim recognized not on the Soldiers re-enlisting but the trainees who recently completed The Forge, earning them the right to be called Soldiers. The newly titles Soldiers will graduate June 23.

“I salute you,” Solheim said to them.

• Date Taken: 06.18.2022
• Date Posted: 06.22.2022 12:35
• Story ID: 423512
• Location: FORT JACKSON, SOUTH CAROLINA, US