COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - As part of their division's teambuilding program, a group of six Soldiers from the S2 Division, 1st Space Brigade, U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command, performed community service in Colorado Springs, Colo., on November 25.
The target was the Marian House Soup Kitchen on West Bijou Street.
The group, led by Maj. Stephen Parrish, the S2 for the brigade, arrived at 10 a.m. and were met by Marian House personnel and taken on a tour of the facility.
After the tour, Iris Lucas, a supervisor at the Marian House Soup Kitchen, proceeded to assign each Soldier to a duty station. Brigade Soldiers joined a group of more than 20 volunteers consisting of students from area schools, regular volunteers and Marian House staff.
Parrish and Sgt. Burch Parshall were assigned to serve in the hot line with Staff Sgt. Colin Angele and Warrant Officer 1 Jon Weiler manning the bread and milk entrees. Capt. Christy Orser helped with the dishwashing and was later joined by Parrish. Chief Warrant Officer 2 Eric Schaub, who confessed that he wasn't really skilled at serving or dishwashing, assumed the position of busing tables and mingling from time-to-time with the patrons.
When the clock struck 1 p.m., the doors finally closed. Again, the brigade Soldiers pitched in for the clean-up detail, and when all was said and done they learned they had helped in the serving of 738 meals--not bad for a pre-Thanksgiving present.
"It was a fun and rewarding experience,Aca,!A? said Parshall, who more times than not found himself calling back into the kitchen for more trays to serve patrons.
Looking back on the experience Schaub remarked, "The time was extremely well spent. Not only were we able to interact with those in need...but we also helped to enhance the image of the military to the general public and portray the diverse nature of today's Army."
Weiler said, Aca,!A"Most of them were very grateful and glad to see us.Aca,!A?
Parrish summed it up by stating, Aca,!A"Spending any time giving back to the community is both rewarding and memorable. It was a pleasure to serve those less fortunate, especially during the holiday season."
The Marian House Soup Kitchen is a program of Catholic Charities of Colorado Springs. The program serves a hot meal 356 days of the year to the working poor, those with mental and physical disabilities, people who are homeless and hungry, fixed income seniors and struggling families. The kitchen has been in operation since 1970.
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