Girl Scouts, Soldiers trade cookies for new merit badges

PIÑON CANYON, Colo. - An air horn blared sporadically while Girl Scouts swarmed all over a Stryker Medical Evacuation Vehicle, up-armored Humvee and Buffalo Mine-Protected Clearance Vehicle at the Piñon Canyon Maneuver Site, May 30.

Four local Girl Scout troops from the Trinidad, La Junta and Rocky Ford areas visited with Soldiers of the 299th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, to learn about the vehicles, deliver about 800 boxes of Girl Scout Cookie donations and earn their hometown hero merit badge.

"They came out, brought us an abundance of cookies and checked out the vehicles," said Sgt. Yexson Amaya, health care specialist, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 299th BEB, 1st SBCT, 4th Infantry Division. "They really loved it; I feel like their favorite part was that they could talk to someone from the different parts of the vehicle."

After showing the Girl Scouts how to talk to each other using the helmets inside of a Stryker, Yexson decided to give a brief combat lifesaver class and found himself surrounded in a matter of moments.

"It felt pretty cool to open my aid bag and tell them about what I do for a living and how much I really enjoy it," said Amaya, a native of San Bernardino, California. "The biggest thing I could see was that they were surprised to see how much stuff we carry. I feel like it was an eye opener for them and all of the adults that came with them."

The Girl Scout's curiosity quickly transitioned from the vehicles to the Improved Outer Tactical Vest and Kevlar helmet that Soldiers wear. They patiently waited as Soldiers helped them done more than 40 pounds of combat gear.

"I would tell my friends that the first one is very light and they should try it and it won't be that heavy so don't be scared," said Rebecca, a Girl Scout who danced around in the gear.

The Girl Scouts also met with a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crew of the 2nd General Support Aviation Battalion, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division and firefighters from Fort Carson. They pretended to fly the helicopter and eagerly lined up for a turn with a fire hose.

"It's probably awe inspiring for them to see the military out here," said Lt. Col. David Fielder, commander, 299th BEB, 1st SBCT, 4th Infantry Division. "As they grow older they'll have more appreciation on what we can do and how we provide support to the community."