FORT HOOD, Texas - Dozens of children invaded the 1st Cavalry Division Museum April 1, hunting for candy-filled, colorful plastic eggs hidden among the tanks and vehicles used or captured by Soldiers of the First Team throughout its history.
Twelve-hundred eggs were filled and placed in the grass at the museum by the 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team's Family Readiness Group as a way to bring the families together during the unit's deployment, said Marion Gilbert, the FRG's co-advisor.
With about 50 kids looking for eggs, it was only a matter of minutes before they had all been found and the children moved on to other activities.
Some of the other activities planned for the kids at the FRG's celebration included painting t-shirts they could send to their dad for Father's Day and decorating cookies, said Sarah Sauer, the battalion's FRG advisor.
The gathering was more than something to occupy time on a Sunday afternoon and finding eggs hidden among military equipment, Sauer said.
"It's great for [the families] to know that there are other families that are just like they are," said Capt. Ryan Corker, 1-8 Cav's rear detachment battalion commander.
It's also a good opportunity for the spouses and children to get out and make some friends, Corker said.
Corker also explained that holidays can be an emotional time for families, especially when one member is deployed, and that they aren't alone. They can celebrate with their Army family.
The FRG for 1-8 Cavalry tries to get together every two or three months for a large battalion event while the company FRGs have a monthly meeting, Gilbert said.
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