Photo By Sgt. Roland Hale | Staff Sgt. Christopher Gilliland (left) and 1st Lt. Coleman Harris stand behind the...... read more read more
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CAMP TAJI, Iraq – Senior leaders of the Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Infantry Division and the Iraqi air force gathered on Camp Taji to celebrate the Mexican holiday Cinco de Mayo, May 5. A celebration of not only the holiday itself but also the partnership between U.S. and Iraqi forces, the social is one of many to come between the two forces as they strengthen their relationship over the CAB's yearlong deployment to Iraq.
For one Soldier, however, the celebration meant more than a healthy partnership between U.S. and Iraqi forces; for Staff Sgt. Christopher Gilliland, a CAB command driver and native of El Paso, Texas, the night was a taste of home, a time to let his pride for his Hispanic heritage shine.
Gilliland spent hours preparing the brigade's "Demon Den" for the celebration, from painting the Mexican national colors to arranging tiles, flags and ornaments.
"It feels great just to hear the music and to see people amazed at the transformation of this place. Some people have told me they feel more at home because of it," said Gilliland.
When the command group mentioned they were planning a partnership event with the Iraqis, Gilliland was one of the biggest advocates for a Cinco de Mayo celebration.
"He did everything," said Sgt. Cash Rzanca, who works with Gilliland. "He painted the whole place. He had a crew come up and cleaned the place beyond clean. All the ideas were mainly his; it was his project from beginning to end."
"What better way to show the Iraqis that Americans take everyone and celebrate things that aren't necessarily American?" said Gilliland. "Plus, I got to bring my home and heritage to Iraq."
| Date Taken: | 05.06.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 05.06.2010 13:59 |
| Story ID: | 49239 |
| Location: | CAMP TAJI, IQ |
| Web Views: | 260 |
| Downloads: | 187 |
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