Photo By Sgt. Anthony Ford | Soldiers assigned to 3rd Infantry Division participate in a boxing match Nov. 18, 2024...... read more read more
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FORT STEWART, Ga.-- Each year, Soldiers, families and the local community come together at Fort Stewart to celebrate Marne Week, an annual tradition that honors the history, achievements and camaraderie of the 3rd Infantry Division. Known as the "Rock of the Marne," the division has a storied legacy of bravery and resilience, and this week-long celebration is a tribute to those who have served and continue to serve under its banner.
This week-long celebration of games, competition and remembrance to honor the birthday of the division took place Nov. 18-22, 2024.
Marne Week is named after the division’s legendary stand along the Marne River during World War I, a battle that earned the unit its famed nickname. Established as an opportunity to foster esprit de corps and reflect on its rich history, the event has become a cornerstone of the division’s annual calendar, offering Soldiers, families and community members the chance to participate in a variety of activities that blend competition, celebration, and reflection.
“I think what the Soldiers should get out of Marne Week is a better appreciation of the organization that they serve in, the division that they wear on their uniform, and an understanding of what the people who have worn that patch have done and still do for us,” said 3rd Infantry Division Command Sgt. Maj. Jonathan Reffeor. “Then ultimately the ability to build teamwork as we play multiple events and compete against each other.”
The main highlight of Marne Week is the spirited competition between units. Each competition highlighted various skills and the sense of unity across the division as each brigade competed for bragging rights and unit pride.
Athletic challenges such as basketball, flag football, soccer, dodgeball, softball and volleyball showcased the physical prowess of the division’s Soldiers, while boxing and combatives matches put the competitors tactical and physical readiness to the test. Team building activities that included e-sports, tug-of-war, bed-racing and functional fitness challenges promoted teamwork and unit cohesion.
“I think every event is my favorite one,” Reffeor said. “But I’d say to truly show the ‘not fancy just tough’ mentality that we live by here are the boxing and combatives competitions and anything we do that can build lethality within our ranks.”
Marne Week also provides a solemn opportunity to honor the division’s fallen heroes. Memorial ceremonies and events, such as the Marne Tattoo allowed everyone the opportunity to reflect on the sacrifices made by those who served in the 3rd ID. This poignant element of the week underscored the deep connections between service, sacrifice and the division’s enduring mission.
The culminating event for the week was the Marne Ball, a formal event that blended military tradition with celebration. Soldiers and their families donned their dress uniforms and finest attire to enjoy an evening of dining, dancing and camaraderie. The ball served as a fitting conclusion to a week that celebrates both the professional excellence and personal connections that define the division.
“As Americans we are blessed, we are wired for this, we are wired for these lives,” said 3rd Infantry Division Commanding General, Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie. “We compete every single day, we value individualism, and we love our freedoms. And we get to do all of that this week during Marne Week. It’s been 107 years for this incredible division. We are living an incredible legacy.”
| Date Taken: | 11.21.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 12.03.2024 13:14 |
| Story ID: | 486402 |
| Location: | FORT STEWART, GEORGIA, US |
| Web Views: | 43 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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