FORT SILL, Okla. (Aug. 14, 2014) -- The Fort Sill Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers (BOSS) program held a day of camaraderie Aug. 8 with a celebration at the Patriot Club's Quinette Pool. The event drew hundreds of Soldiers during the six-hour program.
"It's a free day for single Soldiers to get together, build morale and just have fun," said Spc. Dale Presely, BOSS president. "I want everyone to relax and enjoy themselves."
The event was open to single Soldiers, single Soldier parents, geographical bachelors and their guests. Attendees filed through a buffet line enjoying traditional picnic fare including hamburgers, hot dogs, brisket, mashed potatoes, baked beans, chips and beverages provided by the Patriot Club.
"We're hoping for a good crowd and it's a good show so far," said Angie Cox, Patriot Club catering manager."I'm sure we'll have more people coming throughout the day."
Participants had a variety of activities to keep them busy including volleyball, bean-bag toss, horse-shoes, and, of course, swimming and diving. And a disc jockey kept things lively playing a variety of tunes from his Red Bull MXT truck.
One group of Soldiers from the 100th Brigade Support Battalion was at the Single Soldiers Day
relaxing and enjoying refreshments.
"Soldiers work almost 11 hours a day because PT starts at 6 and our work hours end at 1700, so I
think sometimes we deserve a day like this,"said Spc.Andrea Chan, A Company, 100th BSB. She said she also participated in the BOSS Halloween event.
Pfc. Samuel Eisenberg, A/100th BSB ammo handler, said he was given the day off, and he wanted to
take advantage of the activities and free food.
"It's great to have the day off and see other people and to meet new people," said Eisenberg, who
also took advantage of another BOSS event at Lake Elmer Thomas Recreation Area. "I wish they had these things more often -- they're great."
BOSS fall under the Fort Sill Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Directorate for financial
support and for planning and coordinating events, said Brenda Spencer-Ragland, FMWR director.
"This is a great day not only to highlight the importance of the single Soldier and give them an
opportunity to have an event dedicated for them, but also to get them familiar with what's on the
installation under MWR everyday, such as the Patriot Club and the pools," Spencer-Ragland said.
"We're appreciative of the single Soldiers, and for allowing us to make this day special for them."
Sponsors included the Fort Sill Federal Credit Union, Red Bull, USAA and USA Discounters. Some of
them had representatives present to provide information about their services.
Gary Thompson, USAA military affairs rep. out of Tulsa,was on hand to talk about his company's services.
"The Soldiers are asking about auto insurance and what we do to serve military members," said Thompson, a retired Air Force chief master sergeant. Thompson estimated he would talk to about 50 Soldiers throughout the event.
Upcoming BOSS events include the Red Bull Air Race World Championship Sept. 6-7 in Dallas,
Halloween activities and holiday food drives.
For more about BOSS, Soldiers should contact their unit reps or Presely at dale.L.presely.mil@mail.mil.
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