Photo By Staff Sgt. David Strayer | Spc. Kasey Walker of the 4th Infantry Division Ivy Band, Division Special Troops...... read more read more
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CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, Iraq – Musicians of U.S. Division-North’s Rock Band, “High Altitude,” hosted a series of concerts for soldiers of the 4th Infantry Division’s 3rd Advise and Assist Brigade deployed to southern Iraq, Dec. 9-10.
The band performed its eclectic collection of rocking riffs, bluesy rhythms and gritty vocals for 3rd “Iron” AAB Soldiers deployed to U.S. Division-South at Contingency Operating Bases Adder and Gary Owen.
The mission of the 4th Inf. Div.’s Ivy Division Band is to provide quality music and entertainment to build morale, esprit de corps and cohesion for Soldiers of the 4th Inf. Div. and U.S. Division-North, said 1st Sgt. Cornell Herrington, the non-commissioned officer in charge of the Ivy Division Band.
Cornell, a native of New Orleans, who plays trombone for High Altitude, said in this case, the rock band made a special trip to southern Iraq to boost morale and provide 3rd AAB soldiers, who are nearing the end of a 12-month deployment, an opportunity to take a break from the routine of work.
Deployed to southern Iraq in March of 2010, approximately 3,500 Iron Brigade soldiers assumed the mission to advise, assist, mentor and train Iraqi Security Forces in the Dhi Qar, Basra, Muthanna and Maysan provinces of southern Iraq Sept. 1, 2010 as Operation Iraqi Freedom transitioned to Operation New Dawn.
“This is by far one of the most exciting things that has happened to us in the past five months,” Pfc. Sylvia Joseph, infantryman, Company A, 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 3rd AAB, 4th Inf. Div, U.S. Division-South.
Joseph, a New Smyrna Beach, Fla. native, also said everyone in attendance enjoyed the band’s performance.
Caught up in the music and the atmosphere created by the rocking 4th Inf. Div. band, Joseph grabbed a tambourine, joining the band at the front of the room to dance with the music.
“We love to see things like that,” said High Altitude Lead Vocalist Spc. Darnell Crater.
“It lets us know we are doing good, and we feed off the energy,” said Crater, who hails from Lynwood, Ill. “It helps us play better.”
Herrington said High Altitude will continue its mission with tours throughout U.S. Division-North, playing for soldiers during the holidays to help raise morale and esprit de corps.
| Date Taken: | 12.09.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 12.17.2010 02:58 |
| Story ID: | 62144 |
| Location: | CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, IQ |
| Web Views: | 181 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
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