1HBCT festivities kick off with Spring Festival
May 20, 2010
Soldiers with 1st Heavy Brigade Combat Team, spouses and children enjoyed the many games and attractions that took place during the brigade Spring Festival May 7 on Camp Casey Carey Field.
Students from various schools in Dongducheon, as well as many other Korean nationals, were invited as guests to enjoy the fun and excitement of the festival.
The festival kicked off with a cake cutting ceremony. The spouses of brigade commander Col. Thomas C. Graves and brigade Command Sgt. Maj. John W. Fortune cut into a large cake that was then served to the crowd.
The USO provided music that rocked Carey Field and added to the festive atmosphere as children dashed from event to event. Some events for the Families included bouncy gyms, face painting, sumo wrestling and kite flying. The Traditional Korean Folk Band and the 2nd Infantry Division Tae Kwon Do team provided impressive demonstrations to entertain everyone.
This was fun for the kids and it gave us the opportunity to spend time with Family, said Spc. Jared P. Griffiths from E Company, 2nd Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, who brought his wife and two children to the event.
"It's good to be able to have my Family here and I think for those who have theirs here as well feel the same way," he said. The Korean students and nationals also enjoyed their time at the festival as they interacted and participated in the festivities.
With the help of the 1st HBCT Republic of Korea Army staff, we were able to bring students from schools in Dongducheon City into the base to share fun times with them, said Sgt. Seho Jin, a senior Korean Augmentation to the U.S. Army Soldier with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st HBCT. "I hope that they will do more festivals and activities such as this."
After a day of fun-filled activities for the whole Family, everyone looked content.
"I would like for them to have a lot more events like this for the Families," said Griffiths. "It's more time that I'm able to spend with my wife and kids."
While many Families enjoyed the festivities, organizers didn't forget about the unaccompanied troops in Korea. There were batting cages, golf chipping, and pugil sticks for everyone.
"Events such as these are great morale boosters for the Soldiers," said Griffiths.