KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany - They are tired, wet and dirty. Their uniforms are tattered and torn, far from their original splendor when worn by these Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines. Before running the gauntlet again, they look up and see their objective: the grog.
Service members from the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps along with German soldiers from the Bundeswehr enjoyed water fights, food and camaraderie during a Joint Combat Dining In May 15 at Pulaski Park on Vogelweh Military Complex.
The dining in was hosted by the Kaiserslautern Military Community 5/6 Club and chaired by senior noncommissioned officers from both the Army and Air Force. Command Sgt. Maj. Jesse C. Harris, Jr., the 21st Theater Sustainment Command's 39th Transportation Battalion, 16th Sustainment Brigade command sergeant major, was the president for the evening and stressed the importance of such events.
"This is a great event and I think that we need to host them more often, at least twice a year," said Harris. "A combat dining in brings our brothers and sisters in arms together to promote camaraderie and teamwork within the fighting forces."
The evening's festivities allowed all members of the uniformed services to wear outdated versions of their services uniform, such as the battle dress uniform, or theater specific uniforms such as the Operation Enduring Freedom camouflage pattern. Their uniforms could be cut up or worn in whatever way to make them more "combat effective." As attendees filtered into the park, they could get right to enjoying their food and drink or take a run at the obstacle course.
As the formal portion of the event began, the national anthems of the U.S. and Germany were sung, the colors posted and toasts honoring warriors killed in action or who had become prisoners of war.
"It's important to maintain the formal portion of a dining in and remember those Soldiers that made the ultimate sacrifice," said Army Sgt. Michael A. Currin, a defense courier for the Defense Courier Station-Ramstein. "Even though the evening is about fun, this tradition is important.
The formal portion of the evening concluded with the pouring of the grog. Two toilet bowls were filled with various beverages representing each branch of the U.S. military and the host nation of Germany.
With the toasts made, grog poured and anthems sung, the battle for water supremacy began. A free-for-all of water guns and balloons broke out in the park with service members from all branches forming alliances to take control of the grounds. In the midst of the chaos, other attendees braved the obstacle course multiple times to get one or several tastes of the grog.
As the evening came to a close, Harris reflected on the importance and greater meaning of such an event.
"During this time in our nation, no service fights alone," said Harris. "We all fight together and that is why we need to come together and have fun like this."
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