Photo By 1st Sgt. Justin A. Naylor | Pvt. James Wright, a New York native and an intelligence specialist with 2nd Special...... read more read more
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FORT HOOD, Texas - While hanging out in a pair of loose-fitting shorts, eating a hotdog and listening to a concert might not sound that special, for a Soldier to do this during a workday, it’s almost unheard of.
For the single Soldiers of Fort Hood, Texas, the Single Soldiers’ Festival at the Belton Lake Outdoor Recreation Area June 11 presented the opportunity to kick back and relax with fellow singles, while the non-singles handled the work for the day.
“This was a chance to acknowledge the contributions single Soldiers provide not only to the unit, but the [whole] Army,” said Cpt. Kyle Hatzinger, the assistant plans officer for the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division and the officer-in-charge of planning the festival and a single Soldier himself.
According to Hatzinger, it’s rare to get a chance to be able to give single Soldiers their own day to have fun and get away from work.
“We just wanted them to come out here and relax during the duty day,” he said.
During the event, Soldiers had the opportunity to play team-oriented games like football, basketball and softball; listen to five live bands; eat a free lunch; play carnival games; and hang out on the beach with their friends.
“I thought it was really nice,” said Sgt. 1st Class Robin Propes, a Milwaukee native and a food service non-commissioned officer for the 46th Chemical Company, 2nd Chemical Battalion.
Propes, who was recently reassigned to Fort Hood, said the event was a good opportunity to get out of the office and meet new people.
“They had a very big space, and there were so many different things to do,” she said about the festival.
The event was sponsored by the Fort Hood chapter of the Better Opportunities for Single Soldier’s program, whose stated goal is to “enhance the quality of life and morale of single Soldiers, increase Soldier retention, and sustain readiness.”
“I think it turned out great,” said Pfc. Ryan Konewko, a Boise, Idaho, native and the BOSS president. “Everywhere I looked, everyone I talked to seemed to be having fun.”
The goal of this event, and the many others like it that the BOSS program has hosted, is to provide an outlet for Soldiers and to enhance their lives with different activities based on the three pillars of the program: quality of life, recreation and leisure and community service.
In the past, the BOSS program has hosted events ranging from laser tag to building homes for Habitats for Humanity. The program is open to individuals of all ranks and positions.
“[The program] provides an opportunity for Soldiers to relax, mingle with peers, and have fun,” said Konweko.
To find out more information about the BOSS program, Soldiers can call 254-287-0270.
| Date Taken: | 06.11.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 06.16.2010 11:04 |
| Story ID: | 51469 |
| Location: | FORT HOOD, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 338 |
| Downloads: | 133 |
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