Courtesy Photo | (From left to right) Staff Sgt. Paola Tenorio, a native of Puerto Tejada, Columbia,...... read more read more
By Sgt. Robert C. Rhudy
13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) Public Affairs
CAMP SLAYER, Iraq — Soldiers of the 208th Financial Management Company, Troops Battalion, 10th Sustainment Brigade from Mannheim, Germany, were given a second opportunity to join 1st Lt. Stephanie Ramos, the Camp Slayer Morale, Welfare and Recreation officer for a private tour of the Abu Ghurayb Presidential Grounds in late August 2009. Earlier this year, about half of the 208th FM Company's Soldiers were able to participate in a private tour of the historic grounds which are located about 20 miles west of Baghdad's city center.
Approximately six months into their yearlong deployment, Capt. Keyia Carlton of Norton, Mass., the deputy disbursing officer for the 208th FM Company decided that her Soldiers deserved a break from their long hours and dedication to the disbursing mission's success. Capt. Carlton, with the help of her disbursing manager, Sgt. 1st Class George Drakakis and accounting noncommissioned officer in charge, Sgt. Danielle Gordon, both whom hail from Brooklyn, N.Y., solicited ideas for fun and interesting activities for their Soldiers, from the local MWR Office located on Camp Liberty. The Camp Slayer, Abu Ghurayb Presidential Grounds Tour was highly recommended and was an obvious choice. Carlton arranged a private tour with 1st Lt. Ramos, and the rest was history.
But what about the rest of the Soldiers who staff the Operations sections of 208th FM Company? Even though the Soldiers of both the disbursing and operations sections are a tight knit cohesive team, the overall mission rarely affords them the opportunity to participate in off-duty events and activities together. Staff Sgt. John O'Connor, a Sacramento, Calif., native, and Staff Sgt. Paola Tenorio from Puerto Tejada, Columbia, who heads the 208th FM Company's internal control section, wanted the Soldiers from the operations sections to have an opportunity to attend the tour as well. Carlton gave O'Connor, 1st Lt. Ramos' contact information and a second private tour was quickly scheduled. "This was a great opportunity for all of our Soldiers, regardless of where they work" says O'Connor.
In the end, taking two separate tours allowed for maximum participation and accomplishment of the total mission for all of the Soldiers of the 208th FM Company. It just so happens that some of the Soldiers from the disbursing section were out on a mission the day of the first tour. The Disbursing and Operations sections of the 208th, work hard but also enjoy a little down time together; success through teamwork once again.
| Date Taken: | 10.16.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 10.19.2009 15:56 |
| Story ID: | 40346 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 141 |
| Downloads: | 113 |
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