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A Company, 834th Holiday Party

Courtesy Photo | Senior leadership of A Co. 834th Aviation Support Battalion, passing out donated...... read more read more

IRAQ

12.24.2008

Courtesy Story

34th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade

By Spc. Richard Brown
34th Combat Aviation Brigade

Christmas away from home is never easy for anyone. It is hard on Soldiers and families. For many young Soldiers, this is their first holiday season spent away from home. But, this year things were a little different for one unit.

The Soldiers of A Company, 834th Aviation Support Battalion, based out of St. Paul, Minn., had a surprise waiting for them. They received gifts donated from a company called Lubrication Technologies in Golden Valley, Minn. Each soldier received a gift bag with numerous items to include a stocking in it on Christmas Eve.
"This is the first deployment I have ever been on that anything like this has happened for us," said 1st Lt. Christopher Staples, A Co. 834th ASB commander.

Staff Sgt. Anna Kern, Heavy Vehicle driver, and Spc. Joelen Huckabone, administrative specialist, worked on wrapping presents and making gift bags for all of the A Co. Soldiers during their off time.

"Being so far from home, the holidays just aren't the same, but with the efforts of Staff Sgt. Kern, Spc. Huckabone and others who participated," said Spc. Kenneth Trull, transportation specialist. "It raised the moral of the troops making Christmas away from home still feel special."

A Co. Soldiers gathered together on Christmas Eve for a company holiday party to open gifts and participated in numerous non-typical holiday activities, such as card games, and playing Rock Band on the Playstation 3. The Soldiers also took platoon photos posing with Santa hats and other gifts they received.

"It was very thoughtful for the command staff to put in the extra time and effort to make the holidays feel a little more like home," said Spc. Sarah Ormiston, transportation specialist.