FORT BLISS, Texas -- Soldiers and Families from 123rd Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division gathered together for a two-day Family and Organizational Day, which celebrated the hard work the Iron Support Soldiers have contributed since January during Bulldog Focus, Iron Focus and the National Training Center rotation at Fort Irwin.
"The Soldiers of my battalion have simply performed superbly over the last nine months, to include NTC Rotation 18-08," said Lt. Col. Charles Montgomery, commander, 123rd BSB. "These two days are a small token of appreciation, which allows the opportunity to relax and simply have fun. I want to continue to build a professional and positive culture in the BSB where Soldiers and Families feel like a valued member of our organization. I am confident the team we have built here at Fort Bliss will continue to achieve success now and during our deployment to South Korea."
The Family Day, formally keyed as 'Bring Your Kid to Work' Day, July 27, revolved around the children who support their Soldiers in their family, and began with a short formation calling the children to the front to hand out gift bags full of treats and candy.
The children were then allowed to accompany their parent around the Bulldog Brigade Headquarters followed by an early release to the dining facility.
Soldiers and their children really appreciated the unit taking time to acknowledge that Soldiers are humans with Families.
"This event reminds us that the people we work with have lives outside of the Army, and it gives us, service members with children, a chance to take a pause from our naturally busy schedules," said Sgt. Charnelle Carrington, petroleum supply noncommissioned officer, Company A, 123rd BSB.
The team building continued the next day when Soldiers gathered at Biggs Park where music was playing, tables were set, and the smell of barbeque filled the air.
Organization day was a time to relax with each other and have a friendly competition to win the 1st Annual Commander's Cup, which included: basketball, softball, volleyball, soccer, football, a cook-off, drunk tank, watermelon eating contest, and a pie-in-the-face fundraiser.
Company A took home the 1st Annual Commander's Cup and earned a year of bragging rights under outgoing commander, Cpt. John Paul Demapan, and incoming commander, Cpt. Keily Sasano, as well as 1SG Troy Gilmore this year.
"Winning the trophy is all about the Soldiers in Alpha Company," said Demapan. "They put in the effort to practice and ultimately emerged victorious. I am extremely proud of their efforts and hope they can continue this legacy at the next year's Commander's Cup games."
Not only was the day a fun approach to build comradery and boost morale, but the pie-in-the-face competition raised $645.00, which will be evenly dispersed into the Family Readiness Groups to sponsor future events.
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