Family Fun:Third Army enjoys day of food and music

Photo By Sgt. Maj. Alejandro Licea | Members of the Ground Forces Band entertain Soldiers and family members during Third Army's Family Day picnic, singing a number of classic hits.  

09.09.2006

Story by Staff Sgt. Alejandro Licea 

U.S. Army Central   

by Staff Sgt. Alex Licea
Third Army Public Affairs Office

FORT MCPHERSON, Ga., (September 9, 2006) – It has quickly become a Third Army tradition for Soldiers and their family members to share a day of fun at the unit's Fall Picnic, Sept. 9, at Jacobs Park.

Hundreds of Soldiers and their loved ones gathered at the picnic ground to enjoy a day of food, live music and games. The picnic's activities ranged from a bounce house and face painting for children to golf chipping and the dunk tank for the adults. Live music was provided by the Ground Forces Band.

For children like Austin Gittemeier, 10, the event was all about having a good time.

"This is a lot of fun to be here," said Gittemeier, along side his grandfather, Tom Gittemeirer, a retired command sergeant major. "This is great!"
However, the unit also saw the picnic as an opportunity to focus on the importance of family.

During the picnic, Lt. Gen. R. Steven Whitcomb, Third Army commanding general, addressed the crowd by thanking military families for enduring the harsh reality of military life, especially at Third Army.

Third Army serves as the Army component for U.S. Army Central Command. With that role comes the responsibility of being in charge of 27 nations within the Horn of Africa, Middle East and Central Asia. In addition, Third Army has a forward deployed headquarters in Kuwait.

"I know it comes as a price for families to be together and plan vacations because a three-, six- and 12-month deployments has an impact on our lives," said Whitcomb. "To you, [Third Army families] I say well done!"

Following his speech, the general presented awards and commander's coins to Soldiers and family members who have volunteered their time and service to the local community through the unit's Family Readiness Group organization.

For many, the picnic was more about bonding and building relationships within members of the organization. Soldiers such as Sgt. Roger Capote, Third Army chaplain's assistant, saw the day as a chance to get to know his fellow Soldiers.

"The picnic gave me a great opportunity to meet Soldiers within the unit," said Capote. "It truly was a great day,"

• Date Taken: 09.09.2006
• Date Posted: 09.13.2006 11:26
• Story ID: 7720