By Sgt. Carolyn M. Hawkins and Sgt. Anshu Pandeya
FOREST PARK, Ill. - Soldiers from the 1114th and 1116th Main Support Battalions; 308th Civil Affairs; and the 801st Medical Company handed out water bottles, lanyards, and other Army-themed souvenirs to the cheering crowd during a St. Patrick's Day parade Saturday, March 10.
Crowds of enthusiastic spectators wearing leprechaun hats, green shirts, colorful beads and various St. Patrick's Day decorations gathered around a four-mile stretch of Madison Avenue cheering, “USA! USA!” as the soldiers waved to them.
“I'm very proud of my soldiers for volunteering their time for this event,” said Master Sgt. Amy A. Alcazar, 1114th MSB. She said she wants people to identify the military with humanitarian missions and community support, not war.
“It makes me feel proud that we have soldiers that give back, that don’t ask for anything in return, but they’re giving so I’m proud to be their master sergeant.”
“We're out here volunteering our time to give back to the community,” said Alcazar. “Our role is to work for the community and to be here for the children. The children are always so happy when we're in the parade, and they show support toward the military.”
Staff Sgt. Josef A. Rodriguez, who hails from the 407th Civil Affairs Battalion based out of Minneapolis, has been volunteering for the parade for three years. “It’s nice to give back support to the community for all the support they’ve shown us,” he said. “It’s good for them to know we’re always there no matter what. It doesn’t have to be war.”
In regards to his participation in the parade, Staff Sgt. Anthony Cuellar of the 1116th said, “It means a whole lot because of the fact that our unit is based out of Forest Park and to support the people that support us.
“As you can hear,” he said with a smile as the crowd began to cheer, “They’re very proud of us to be here, so it’s awesome for us to be around and show that Army soldiers are here to fight for their freedom.”
“I think it’s great for the family and the kids,” said Leonor Sisk of Forest Park. “They’re enjoying it a lot.”
Sisk, whose husband is a former member of the U.S. Army, stressed the importance of supporting troops. “I think it’s important for everyone to support the military, not only here in Forest Park, but the whole U.S. I was having a conversation with my husband the other day, and I feel that it is very important for military to feel like they’re doing a lot for our country, and for everybody, in general, to support them in any way possible.”
| Date Taken: |
03.15.2012 |
| Date Posted: |
03.15.2012 13:11 |
| Story ID: |
85293 |
| Location: |
FOREST PARK, ILLINOIS, US |
| Web Views: |
122 |
| Downloads: |
0 |
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This work, Soldiers and community support each other in parade, by SGT Anshu Pandeya, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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