KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - The Autumn sun warmed the sand of the volleyball pit and the artificial turf of the soccer field at the sporting arena of Kandahar Airfield's boardwalk where Soldiers of the 4th Infantry Division's 1st and 2nd Battalions, 12th Inf. Regiment, 4th Inf. Brigade Combat Team, engaged in healthy competition during a recreational break in their deployment to Afghanistan.
The Oct. 10 competition was held in recognition of the 12th Infantry Regiment's inception 153 years ago in 1861. The organized sports day was coupled with a few discourses to highlight some of the 1/12 Inf. Regt.'s accomplishments over the last one and-a-half centuries.
"153 years ago the 12th Inf. Regt. was constituted at Ft. Hamilton, New York, destined to fight as part of the Army on the Potomac in the American Civil War," said Lt. Col. William Voorhies, commander of the 1/12. "The 12th Regiment fought in countless battles including Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and Gettysburg. Since Oct. 20th, 1861, the 12th regiment has fought eight major wars and 39 campaigns."
Voorhies explained that for every campaign, a streamer has been added to the unit's colors.
"The battle streamers you see on the colors represent the blood of American warriors that for the last century and a half have fought our nations wars and perished. A 40th streamer will be added at the end of this tour at the closing of America's longest war in Afghanistan," Voorhies said.
"Our history is who we are. We are the ones that are tied to the same Soldiers that marched in Antietam... the islands of Cuba and the Philippines, assaulted the beaches of Normandy, and the jungles of Vietnam," he said.
A moment was taken during Voorhies' speech to recognize a few 1/12 and 2/12 Soldiers who died while serving in Afghanistan.
"We will not forget our friends and comrades that have sacrificed their young lives for the rest of us: Pfc. Jake Wykstra, Pfc. Keith Williams, Staff Sgt. Benjamin Prange, Cpl. Justin Clouse, and Pfc. Aaron Toppin. These men acquitted themselves with honor and integrity," Voorhies said.
Following Voorhies' speech, commanders from all of the individual companies within the 1/12 recounted significant unit history events and acts of valor. Afterward, the unit's birthday cake was cut and the sports competitions began.
"We've put together some events like flag football, basketball, dodge ball, and volleyball to build some rapport through competition amongst the companies," said 1st Lt. Daniel Yu, a personal security detail platoon leader who serves with the 1/12 Inf. "We also have a couple of guitarists within the unit that played some music for the battalions."
Yu added that events like these are important for the Soldiers because the high operations tempos demand their efforts and focus. A sports day allows them to relax a little bit, have some fun playing sports, and get to know Soldiers from different companies that they wouldn't otherwise get the opportunity to meet.
With games concluded, an awards ceremony was held for the winning companies, and Soldiers of both the 1/12 and 2/12 were thanked for their efforts on the battlefield.
Social Sharing