FORT CARSON, Colo. -- Recognizing their service to the community, city of Colorado Springs Mayor Steve Bach presented the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, and the Pikes Peak Sergeants Major Association with Spirit of the Springs Celebration Awards March 5, 2015.
The "Raider" Brigade was saluted for its "Operation Happy Holidays" donation drive for the less fortunate while the Sergeants Major Association was honored for its Operation Backpack and holiday food basket donation drives. The awards were presented at the Wolf Dining Facility on Fort Carson at the conclusion of a collaborative law enforcement breakfast.
"I thought we should celebrate the good things that are happening in our community, the people and organizations that do really amazing things that bring great pride … (to the) community," Bach said of the award that was created in 2011.
Bach first presented the 1st SBCT award, noting "Operation Happy Holidays" has brightened the holidays for so many for five of the past six years -- the brigade was deployed overseas one holiday season.
"Today is a very special honor for me," he said. "You come downtown and take all that love and warmth to all those people at the Marian House. It just is an example of how great our military partners are."
More than 700 Soldiers and Family members marched 2 miles, with their rucksacks bursting with donations, from Dorchester Park to the Marian House Soup Kitchen. Once there, the Soldiers separated more than six tons of donations on tables as less fortunate community members sifted through the clothes, gloves, hats, scarves, toys, blankets and nonperishable food items.
"In the military you move every few years, so it's really difficult for a lot of Soldiers to connect with the community. It's really important for our brigade to connect with the community," said Maj Kevin Boyd, 1st SBCT public affairs officer, who accepted the award on behalf of Col. David M. Hodne, brigade commander. Boyd, Chap. (Maj.) Bruce Wagner and Operations Sgt. Maj. Thomas Price were responsible for planning the donation event.
"This was done on (the Soldiers') own time," Boyd noted. "All gifts donated came out of their pockets, they went out and bought it or had it at home."
Boyd noted that those receiving the donations weren't the only ones touched through the event.
"Soldiers are still talking about it, because they actually got to see what it was they were doing and how it impacted the community," he said.
The mayor then turned his attention to the Sergeants Major Association.
"You spent a lifetime serving our country and our free world, and you could have called it good at that … but instead you stayed involved and helped others, fellow Soldiers and their Families," Bach said.
"It's an honor to present this award to your group for giving back, helping others, passing it forward; a great example of citizen and Soldier leadership."
The award recognized the association for donating 150 backpacks loaded with school supplies to students from the Harrison School District in Colorado Springs at the beginning of the school year and providing 225 Thanksgiving food baskets and 75 turkeys to junior enlisted and young NCO Families.
"We don't do this for recognition, none of us do; we are all sergeants major. We know the community has been giving to us for many, many years during wartime, and so now is a great time for us to be able to say 'thank you' and this is what we are giving back," said Retired Sgt. Maj. Chet Miller, vice president of the Pikes Peak Sergeants Major Association.
He spoke of the reason behind the backpack drive, noting the association's members understand many are having a hard time in today's economy.
"When those kids get the backpacks and all the supplies they are just ecstatic, their eyes light up and it's a great thing," he said.
Association President Retired Sgt. Maj. Ray Parnell said the relationship between the military and the community is critical for everyone's success.
"Our efforts are driven towards the military, but it has direct impact on the community," he said. "It's really pretty simple for us, we like doing things that improve our community both on and off base."
The Sergeants Major Association is open to active duty and retired enlisted members in the grade of E-9 for all branches of service. Visit http://www.sgmaco.org for more information.
The mayor said about 150 awards have been presented to date. To be eligible, nominees must have participated in a volunteer activity or noteworthy achievement that has brought "great honor and pride" to the city of Colorado Springs or has been distinguished at a state, national or international level.
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