Photo By Sgt. Natalie Loucks | Soldiers of 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment sing "Joy to the World" with Lt. Col....... read more read more
By Sgt. Natalie Rostek
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division
FORWARD OPERATING BASE RUSTAMIYAH, Iraq – Soldiers of the 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment attended a Christmas tree lighting party, Dec. 14, at Forward Operating Base Rustamiyah.
Chaplain (Capt.) Terry Kerr, from Clayton, N.C, 2-69th AR, organized a night of prayer and gift giving for Soldiers to celebrate the beginning of the holiday season with their Army family.
"This makes me feel at home," said Pfc. Kira Gumbs, from St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, Company F, 203rd Brigade Support Battalion, in direct support of the 2-69th AR. "It definitely brings morale up. This party is a good way to celebrate Christmas since we can't spend it with our families back home."
Battalion Soldiers gathered at the 2-69th AR headquarters which was decorated with stockings, lights and an unlit Christmas tree. Cookies, hot cocoa and apple cider were set out for Soldiers to enjoy.
After Kerr gave a prayer, numbers were drawn from a cup. Soldiers with corresponding numbers were given a choice: they could either pick a stocking off of the wall or take a wrapped present from under the tree. Some of the gifts given included clothing, puzzle books, stuffed animals, snacks and candy. A few lucky Soldiers drew an MP3 player.
Between the holiday gift raffle announcements, Soldiers were treated to several festivities including a holiday sing-along. Company commanders of the 2-69th AR led the first rendition of "Joy to the World" as Soldiers joined in singing. Soldiers also sang "Silent Night", "Jingle Bells" and "We Wish You a Merry Christmas".
"The Christmas songs and the holiday spirit bring back memories from Christmases at home," said Pfc. Bren Ready, from Houston, Texas, Company E. "I'm sad that I'm not home but this is definitely a good way to celebrate the holidays while I'm here in Iraq."
Lieutenant Col. Troy Perry, from Belfast, Maine, commander of the 2-69th AR, closed the celebration with words of encouragement and thankfulness.
"This is what the holidays are all about," Perry said. "They are about being thankful. They are about thinking of other people. You sacrifice yourself for others every day. We live in the best country in the world and that's because of you. You all are protecting that country and its ideals."
The 2-69th AR is currently attached to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division. The battalion is assigned to the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Ga., and has been deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom V since March.
| Date Taken: | 12.17.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 12.17.2007 16:32 |
| Story ID: | 14773 |
| Location: | RUSTAMIYAH, IQ |
| Web Views: | 167 |
| Downloads: | 94 |
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