By Army Sgt. Matthew Acosta
FORWARD OPERATING BASE WARHORSE, Iraq -- "My first memory of Command Sgt. Maj. [Steven W.] Faulkenburg was in Kosovo at Friday night burger-night," said Lt. Col. Peter A. Newell, commander, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment., 1st Infantry Division. "Somewhere between the hours of 8-10 p.m. you could see him at the movie theater with his soldiers around him; probably one of the few times you caught the guy standing still."
The Faulkenberg Theater, a Morale, Welfare and Recreation movie theater facility dedicated in memory of Faulkenberg, was opened to soldiers and all FOB Warhorse personnel, Jan. 25.
The dedication of the recreational facility was fitting due to the way he was remembered by those who served with him.
"He was small in stature but a giant amongst men," said Staff Sgt. Sean Fitzwilliam, chaplain's assistant, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division. "He loved his soldiers and his soldiers loved him back."
Faulkenburg had a reputation of being around the soldiers as much as possible to assist them, mentor them and at times correct them. He knew the value of hard work but also knew the value of keeping up morale, said those who knew him.
The theater will provide an outlet for the soldiers and personnel of FOB Warhorse and to raise and keep up the morale level of those stationed here, said Master Sgt. Twanda L. Pressey, morale, welfare and recreation liaison, HHC, 3rd Brigade, 1st Inf. Div.
The project was coordinated by the Army's MWR campaign with the Kellogg, Brown and Root carpenter's shop constructing the multi-function structure. The facility was built for movie entertainment but can also be used for live performances, briefings or educational purposes.
"The whole project took about 75 days to complete, from blue-print to grand opening," said Carson George, master carpenter and foreman, KBR.
The theater offers soldiers a place to see movies donated by the Army and Air Force Exchange Service and to get away from the usual daily routine, he added.
The Faulkenburg Theater will be open seven days-a-week with four movie showings daily and has a 154-person capacity. The facility is currently equipped with a refreshment counter; however future plans call for a commercial fountain soda machine and a popcorn machine at the snack bar.
George said a lot of work went into the (theater) but it was worth it because the soldiers will get a lot of enjoyment out of it.
Faulkenberg was killed in action Nov. 9, 2004 during the initial days of combat in Fallujah. He leaves behind a wife and three daughters.
| Date Taken: | 02.03.2005 |
| Date Posted: | 02.03.2005 13:55 |
| Story ID: | 1066 |
| Location: | BAQUBAH, IQ |
| Web Views: | 217 |
| Downloads: | 24 |
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