Fort Bragg Contracting Soldiers give back, serve brunch to area veterans

FORT BRAGG, N.C. - On a day when many Soldiers at Fort Bragg were given the day off for the remembrance of former President George H.W. Bush, the 905th Contingency Contracting Battalion volunteered at the Fayetteville Veterans Affairs Medical Center Dec. 5, 2018 to serve brunch and visit with veterans.

"My sergeant major and I had a discussion about a month ago, and we wanted to find a way for the battalion to give back to the community," said Lt. Col. Martin Plys Jr., the commander of the 905th. "She suggested that we should volunteer at the local VA, and I thought that was an exceptional idea, so here we are putting this event into action."

As Soldiers began to serve the breakfast meal of pancakes and sausage, a veteran was wheeled in and let out a loud "HOOAH!" that could be heard throughout the room. Many of the Soldiers held heartfelt conversations with the veterans, sharing past memories and present experiences.

"It feels great coming out and giving back to the veterans," said Staff Sgt. Michael Sapp, an acquisition, logistics, and technology contracting noncommissioned officer assigned to the 905th. "As service members, that's what it's all about, it's all about service, so seeing the smiles on their faces and them enjoying themselves is great."

The unit takes the Army Value of selfless-service seriously, Sapp said. He continued by saying, "It's a value the unit exercises by giving back to those who wore the uniform before them and paved the path they walk today."

Plys, the commander, shared this sentiment and said the unit will continue volunteering in the future.

"The Fayetteville community is very good to Fort Bragg," Plys said, "and this is just our opportunity to give back something to it."

The 905th Contingency Contracting Battalion plans and executes the military and civilian contracting needs of the Army. The unit is a part of Army Contracting Command, headquartered in Huntsville Alabama, but directly supports United States Army Special Operations Command at its headquarters at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.