Task Force Bulldog families scare the night away at 'Trunk or Treat'

FORT BLISS, Texas -- The mood was set on a cool autumn night with the wind howling through Bulldog Field during Task Force Bulldog's "Trunk or Treat" which took place on Saturday, Oct. 20.

Task Force Bulldog is the rear-detachment element for 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team "Bulldog," 1st Armored Division, currently deployed to the Republic of Korea in support of the 2nd Infantry Division/ROK-U.S. Combined Division, and is responsible for maintaining operations at home station and offering support to families of deployed Soldiers.

The Trunk or Treat event was led by the Bulldog brigade family readiness groups to kick off Halloween festivities, but to also offer an opportunity to build relationships with other families with deployed spouses.

"We were just trying to come up with a way to bring all the Families out together and do something fun and positive since all the Soldiers have left and/or are leaving," said Jacque McLean, family readiness advisor for 2nd Squadron, 13th Cavalry Regiment. "We were just trying to do something all the families could look forward to."

The holiday season can be a much more difficult time for families of deployed Soldiers. A strong support network can alleviate some of the stress that stems from being separated from a loved one.

"They see that people actually care about them; and that's our goal in all of this -- to let them know that they're not alone and we do actually care about them," said Charlsey Mahle, family readiness advisor for 4th Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment.

Events like the Trunk or Treat are key in drawing families out to interact with each other and to ensure families new to the Army lifestyle know they have support and they're not alone.

"It's one big family, and it takes fun stuff to get people to come out and meet people like us who are leading the FRG," said Mahle. "Then they will realize they are not so alone."