Soldiers celebrate Halloween, raise awareness for Army programs

Photo By Staff Sgt. John Onuoha | 2nd Lt. Sarah Tignor, a simulated zombie with 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division waits for zombie run participants as they approach her position during a zombie run as a Halloween celebration Oct. 31 at Illesheim, Germany. The zombie run teaches and demonstrates the importance of teamwork and Army programs, and reminds Soldiers that no matter the situation, they can always trust their fellow Soldiers and team for support. 4th CAB is halfway through their nine-month deployment in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve which maximizes the U.S. Army presence in Europe and demonstrates commitment to the NATO alliance and to the safety and security of Europe. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. John Onuoha)  

ILLESHEIM, BAYERN, GERMANY

10.31.2018

Story by Sgt. John Onuoha 

24th Theater Public Affairs Support Element

ILLESHEIM, GERMANY - Over 50 Soldiers with the 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division participated in a zombie ‘Run For Life’ during a halloween celebration Oct. 31.

The zombie run teaches and demonstrates the importance of teamwork and Army programs, and reminds Soldiers that no matter the situation, they can always trust their fellow Soldiers and team for support.

Col. Scott Galloway, commander of 4th CAB said the commanding general in Fort Carson directed that they lead using the READY principle, which stands for; respectful of others; be experts; be an athlete; be disciplined and enforce Army standards; it’s up to you.

“It will remind all of our formation how important it is to treat everybody by the golden rule,” Galloway said. “To treat each other as equals, and that is the foundation of trust in our formations and trust is the foundation of a winning team.”

The event emphasized readiness and personal responsibility, said Sgt. 1st Class Nicholas Kasper, an equal opportunity adviser for 4th CAB. It provides a wider range of audience for Army programs.

“It helps Soldiers grasp the big ideas of these programs,” said Pfc. Nolan Hurt, an organizer for the event and a chaplain assistant with 404th Aviation Support Battalion, 4th CAB. “It allows us to talk about it in a fun way and engage the Soldiers.”

Soldiers displayed the importance of teamwork as they worked together to overcome their problems [zombies] and get to the finish line during the run.

“The zombies represent things like suicide prevention, equal opportunity or sexual harassment,” Hurt said. “Those are problems that you are running from by yourself and they can easily catch up with you, but there are other people running around you, other Soldiers, other people to help you. All you have to do is ask for help and you can get away from that problem or zombie.”

Events like this can help Soldiers learn how to deal with their problems and understand that they can get help in any situation, Kasper said.

Hurt said it is a great way to raise awareness for Army programs and uphold Army values. Even though the Soldiers were away from home, it felt like home celebrating Halloween with their Army family in Germany.

4th CAB is halfway through their nine-month deployment in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve which maximizes the U.S. Army presence in Europe and demonstrates commitment to the NATO alliance and to the safety and security of Europe.

• Date Taken: 10.31.2018
• Date Posted: 11.06.2018 14:39
• Story ID: 298524
• Location: ILLESHEIM, BAYERN, DE