FORT SILL, Okla. (June 4, 2015) -- Nine drill sergeants and cadre from the 1st Battalion, 40th Field Artillery visited Lincoln Elementary School May 8, for its annual Fun Day activities.
The event rewarded the students for completing another successful year of grade school.
For the 1-40th FA Soldiers, the visit provided a break from their routine Army duties.
"Despite the busy schedule of being a drill sergeant, it is still important to find the time to give back to the community; especially when you have an opportunity to partake in fun events like this," said Staff Sgt. Jeremiah Harrison, an E Battery drill sergeant.
The visit also strengthened ties between the community and Fort Sill while showing another positive aspect of military service.
Already, Southwest Oklahoma was experiencing a shift to a stormier, wetter month, but inclement weather held off long enough for the Soldiers and students to enjoy a day together.
The Soldiers' outreach day began as they assisted the school faculty setting up a dizzy basketball shootout, a tug-of-war competition, potato sack races, a pie throwing contest and a football throwing competition.
This wasn't the first time the battalion's Soldiers have taken a special interest in helping out at the elementary school. In February 2015, several Soldiers volunteered to read stories to various classes in honor of Black History Month. Drill Sergeant (Staff Sgt.) Karlton Berry, E Battery, was one of the readers.
"It was a great experience to read and interact with the students," he said. "Not only was it rewarding to provide something enjoyable for the students, but I also enjoyed interacting with them and answering questions they had about what I do as a drill sergeant in the Army."
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