Courtesy Photo | Glory, a stuffed toy bear, and a Columbus, Ga., native, relaxes on a black sofa.... read more read more
Story by: 1st Lt. Raymond Patterson
CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, Iraq — Soldiers with the 632nd Maintenance Company, 110th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 224th Sustainment Brigade, 103rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), welcomed Glory, an honorary member of their company, and a Columbus, Ga., native, visiting from Ms. Julie Jackson’s class of students at the Lonnie Jackson Academy in Columbus, Ga., to Contingency Operating Base Adder, Iraq.
Glory was no ordinary visitor — not a living, breathing, human being, but a symbolic Ty® Beanie Baby, sent from the academy by Jackson’s kindergarten students, to give their moral support to the 632nd Maint. Co. at COB Adder. Equipped with a journal and instructions, Glory frequented each of the shops of the 632nd Maint. Co., and was photographed everywhere she went.
Since Glory’s departure from the Lonnie Jackson Academy, the young boys and girls who sent her on her way have been anxiously awaiting the bear’s return. In transit from Iraq to the U.S., she had the opportunity to travel with soldiers returning home on leave.
She stopped off in Ireland and Atlanta along the 14-hour trip. She travelled with 1st Lt. Raymond Patterson, the automotive platoon leader with the 632nd Maint. Co., and a Lewiston, Maine, native, and was accompanied by other members of the company: Sgt. Shadrick Green, Sgt. James Whipple, Spc. William Ward, Spc. Evan Wilson, and Pfc. Robert Cooley.
Once she returned to the U.S., Glory was on vacation with the Patterson family: 1st Lt. Raymond Patterson, a platoon leader with the 632nd Maint. Co., and Mrs. Andrea Rodrigue-Patterson, at Tybee Island, Ga.
After fun in the sun, and a final stop at the Patterson residence, Glory was finally able to rest her feet from a fun-filled adventure, and will soon be heading back to her point of origin to rejoin the kindergarten students, having successfully completed the mission by bringing a message of hope and moral support to the 632nd Maint. Co.
“While Glory’s time with us was short, she had great adventures and met a lot of new people here in the 632nd [Maint. Co.],” said Spc. William Ward, a soldier with the 632nd Maint. Co., and a Newnan, Ga., native. “I hope she goes back to the kindergarten of Lonnie Jackson Academy with a sense of excitement and inspiration for the young boys and girls.”
Glory touched the soldiers with the 632nd Maint. Co. in many ways, and they hope that the bear’s adventures can touch the kindergarten students as well.
“As the bear goes back to Georgia, I hope the children remember the photos of themselves and the bear, as well as the bear’s adventures, and ask themselves in years to come, ‘What was that all about?’” said Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert Devinney, a senior automotive maintenance technical expert from the 632nd Maint. Co., and a New York native. “Maybe then, they will have an interest in what we are accomplishing today, and recognize they were as much a part of the history we are building here.”
| Date Taken: | 12.07.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 12.19.2010 07:26 |
| Story ID: | 62263 |
| Location: | COB-ADDER, IQ |
| Web Views: | 30 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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