FORT BLISS, Texas - Soldiers and family members throughout Team Bliss were creative in their donations to those less fortunate this holiday season by making displays out of their food donations at Soto Physical Fitness Facility, Nov. 21.
The donated food was used to support the annual Thanksgiving Food Drive said Nina Carey, coordinator for the Armed Services YMCA Junior Enlisted Family Center.
“Each unit was assigned certain food items to donate,” said Carey. “We have enough to help make 1,400 food baskets, which will make 1,400 families that much happier for the holidays.”
Team Bliss units took their food items and displayed just how creative they could be. Examples included a “chuck wagon” from 15th Sustainment Brigade, an “air drop” from 1st Combat Aviation Brigade, a replica of the unit patch from 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, a live mascot-“Chester” from 3rd “Bulldog” Brigade, 1st Armored Division, a replica wooden Stryker from 1st Brigade, 1st AD and even a live recreation of the Combat Medic Memorial Statue from William Beaumont Army Medical Center.
The Combat Medic Memorial Statue stands in front of the U.S. Army Medical Department Museum at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. It serves as a permanent reminder of the bravery and skill that combat medics have used to save many lives on battlefields across the globe.
The statue depicts a soldier lying on the ground, his rifle in the dirt, with an IV bag hanging from his rifle. A combat medic kneels next to him, providing aid to the wounded soldier. WBAMC recreated the statue with two soldiers, Pvt. Winston Fagg as the casualty, and Spc. Lydia Boll as the medic, both painted in bronze.
WBAMC choose to show the evolution and diversity in Army medicine by having a female medic, said Staff Sgt. James Wagner, designer and builder of the display.
The displays throughout were judged on creativity, appearance and size by Maj. Gen. Dana J.H. Pittard, commanding general, 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss, and Command Sgt. Maj. David S. Davenport Sr., command sergeant major, 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss.
“This is a great way to take care of soldiers and their families and to have fun at the same time,” said Davenport.
The displays were a huge success, said Master Sgt. Lamont Hughes, the division operations noncommissioned officer.
“We collected more food this year than last year,” said Hughes. “The sergeants major of the brigades helped us out a lot by asking for donations from their units. These displays helped many families in a big way. This shows the families of Team Bliss that we care about them and that we support our troops. I feel blessed and honored to be a part of something like this.”
The voting was very tough, with only a few points separating first through third place. The 15th SB’s “chuck wagon” came in third, with WBAMC’s live recreation of the Combat Medic Memorial Statue placing second. First brigade's replica wooden Stryker took home first place and trophy this year.