FORT BLISS, Texas -- Ninjas, zombies, and princesses scurried from car-to-car collecting candy when two First Army Division West brigades co-hosted their first of planned annual Trunk-or-Treats here Oct. 17.
The 402nd Field Artillery Brigade and 5th Armored Brigade organized the event in their parking lot to bring Soldiers and their families closer together and allow children to enjoy a "spooktacular-filled" evening.
"It starts with families," said Col. Jay Gallivan, commander of the 402nd FA. "This is the first tangible step for our families as we execute Bold Shift and come together as one Army Family."
Jennie Gonzalez, wife of Col. Raul E. Gonzalez, commander of 5th AR, agreed it was the perfect opportunity for families from the two brigades to meet and begin to build family cohesion.
"It's a great way to get the families together and get to know one another," said Jennie, while standing in front of her ghoulishly farm-themed trailer with skeletons and bales of hay. "The kids are the best part, seeing all the costumes."
Children weren't the only ones in costume though. Parents and Soldiers matched the little trick-or-treaters' enthusiasm and dressed in everything from the traditional costumes of vampires, zombies, and witches to the more popular movie characters in "The Adams Family," "Ghostbusters," and "King Kong."
There were also carnival games, plenty of food, and an apple bobbing station for those more health-conscience parents.
Capt. Jaimie Inman, commander of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Conus Replacement Center, brought her son, Maksim, 6, dressed as the Red Power Ranger.
"I like having family events, there are so many times we are pulled away from our families, it's wonderful when we can include them," Inman said. "It also allows us to see a whole other side of the people we work with, instead of just seeing someone as the S1, we can see them interact with their family and start to see them as a whole person."
More than 50 people handed out candy and the occasional trick. Several of the trunks featured fog machines, remote-controlled spiders, and other ghoulish wares.
Mikayla, 6, braved one of the large hairy spiders to get candy for her 2-year-old sister, Katelyn, who hid behind their father, Staff Sgt. Keith Rankin, an operations non-commissioned officer with 5th AR, as the six-legged monster sprung towards them from under a car.
Rankin, who moved from Fort Benning, Georgia three months ago, said it was the perfect opportunity to meet other families and for the children to get to know one another.
For parents like Sgt. 1st Class James Madison, operations non-commissioned officer-in-charge with Task Force Rampant, 5th AR, it's the safety the event provides for his family that was paramount.
"It's a controlled environment, it's with our own people, so we know its safe," Madison said as his daughter Genesis, 4, dressed as Cinderella, dropped a handful of candy in the pink bag he carried.
1st Sgt. Sheldon McCabe, HHC, 5th AR, agreed and helped arranged to have portable light towers to ensure families could enjoy the festivities even after the sun went down.
"It's a good event, in a nice safe environment," said McCabe, has he helped his son Sullivan, 5, down from the Haunted Ambulance. "And it's a wonderful opportunity for us to get to know each other before we merge."
The highlight of the night was a costume contest. Winners were judged on creativity, originality, effort, and authenticity.
Capt. Dawne Divine, adjutant for the 402nd FA, and her team won a three-day pass for her car trunk themes after "King Kong," which featured several Kongs and Ann Darrows handing out candy.
"It was an unexpected victory because every car was fantastic," said Divine, who dressed as Fay Wray from the 1933 version of the film. "Our team goal was to have fun with a classic American fantasy monster. The fact that we won best car reinforces the value of teamwork and collective spirit."
Related Links:
See Division West photos on Flickr
Social Sharing