Photo By Staff Sgt. Michael Lemmons | Veterans of the 1/26, Blue Spaders, tour the Battalion Headquarters room as they visit...... read more read more
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FORT KNOX, Ky. - Across the Army it is not uncommon for units to hold organizational days on a periodic basis for multiple reasons such as team building, relaxation, and building esprit de corps. Like an office barbeque in a civilian workplace, these events are often marked plenty of food, outdoor activities, and enthusiastic participation by unit members.
But for the Blue Spaders of the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, this year's organizational day included more than just the unit's currently serving soldiers and families.
When charter busses packed full of over 70 Blue Spader veterans arrived to Thorn Park, June. 22, unit history spanning World War II through present day immediately immersed itself into the ranks of the young, Spader soldiers.
Representing the Blue Spader Association, these old vets quickly found themselves in familiar company with the more youthful members of their regiment.
Fresh off a year-long deployment to Afghanistan, these young soldiers bent the ears of the seasoned veterans of old, while the old soldiers reciprocated with stories that formed the backbone of their association.
1st Lt. Solomon Metcalf described the scene as relaxed and informal.
“It’s a … social event where the vets can come and hang out with us,” he said. “We can share stories, compare and [things] like that,” he said.
Former commander of the Blue Spaders now serving as the honorary colonel of the 26th Infantry Regiment, retired Lt. Gen. John M. Brown, III said coming to visit with [the soldiers] was remarkable.
“It’s great to be here and interact with these guys,” he said. “It’s good for us vets because it’s really interesting to hear stories of what life is like in Afghanistan from these guys and compare them to our stories from when we were in. These older vets love that stuff.”
In addition to the food, volleyball, cornhole, and ultimate Frisbee, soldiers set up mortar tubes and weapons systems like long-range rifles for the attending vets and family members to peruse.
After a long day in the sun the Blue Spader association vets retired back to their hotel, the Galt House in Louisville, to prepare for a formal association dinner held there the following night.
Metcalf, who also attended the Blue Spader dinner, said Blue Spader soldiers sat throughout the ballroom amongst the vets for more reminiscing and sharing.
“We had one guy in ASU’s at each table of vets. They were able to talk and ask question and share stories,” he said. “The significance was tying the [battalion’s] history to what’s taking place currently in 1-26.”
Metcalf went on to state the one of the goals of association is to create an enduring identity among all current and former Blue Spaders.
“The Blue Spader organization is trying to keep this [as]one big organization that lasts as opposed to,’ I used to be a Blue Spader,’ [to] more of a “I am a Blue Spader,” he said.
Spc. Daniel Walker reflected on the impact the overall event and the Blue Spader veterans had on him.
“Being a Blue Spader and seeing these vets out here during our organizational day speaks a lot about our heritage and for the future of 1/26. It doesn’t matter how long ago it was, even though they are out [of the Army] they still consider us their family and we do the same,” he said.
And the veterans couldn’t agree more.
“The Blue Spaders are truly professional, and I can see that these young soldiers here today are living up to the same values we had when I was a Blue Spader,” Brown of the storied group.
For more information on the Blue Spader Association visit http://www.bluespader.org
| Date Taken: | 06.22.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 07.02.2012 14:20 |
| Story ID: | 91004 |
| Location: | FORT KNOX, KENTUCKY, US |
| Web Views: | 643 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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