AUSA helps celebrate Army birthday on the links

Story and photos by

Matt Decker

Leisure/Sports editor

Fort Leonard Wood GUIDON

June 18, 2009

FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. - Thirty-six teams of golfers helped celebrate the Army's 234th birthday by hitting the links, Friday, during the sixth annual Salute to the Soldier and Army Birthday Association of the United States Army Golf Tournament at Piney Valley Golf Course.

The tournament teamed civilian AUSA members with service members.

Both Maj. Gen. Gregg Martin, Maneuver Support Center and Fort Leonard Wood commanding general, and Command Sgt. Maj. Corbly Elsbury, MANSCEN and Fort Leonard Wood, addressed the players prior to the tournament's shotgun start.

"Thanks for everything you do for our Soldiers and this installation," Elsbury told participants. "We certainly appreciate it."

Martin described AUSA as, "a tremendous organization" that not only works to meet the needs of the Army as an organization, but also meet the needs of Soldiers and military families.

"They are committed to do all they can to take care of our Soldiers, our families and the well-being of the Army," Martin said. "They are a private organization, so they can do some things that people in uniform are not allowed to do. They are a great partner for us that helps the country by helping the Army."

Martin said events such as Friday's AUSA-sponsored golf tournament are important because it promotes interaction between Fort Leonard Wood and the surrounding communities.

"As Soldiers, we need to engage with the American people. We cannot take it for granted that they know who we are, what we do and why we do it. So, it's incumbent on all of us, as Soldiers, to reach out and meet civilian leaders, whether they are business, political, educational, media - what have you - so that we can engage them, get to know them and let them get to know us," Martin said.

"What AUSA does is facilitate that type of action, which we really can't do on our own. They bring in civilian leaders who then get to know our troops," Martin added.

The team of Matt Lewis, Tyce Smith, Cody Edwards and Capt. Bradley Smith, 2nd Battalion, 10th Infantry Regiment, won the

tournament.

The tournament served as one of several events held in celebration of the Army's birthday, which also included a gathering at Colyer Park, an Army pep rally and the Charlie Daniels Band concert.

(Matt Decker is an editor with the Fort Leonard Wood GUIDON.)