By: Sgt. Melissa N. Lessard 504th Military Intelligence Brigade Public Affairs
(FORT HOOD, Texas, Oct. 25, 2018)---While many companies within the 504th Military Intelligence Brigade were holding formal physical fitness training or leaders fitness training, one company was sporting the color pink on West Fort Hood.
163rd Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 163rd Military Intelligence Battalion, 504th MI BDE, hosted a daylong event called Pink with a Purpose, October 25. The event was in support of breast cancer awareness month. It included a breast cancer awareness run and a bake sale. The bake sale donations will be given to a breast cancer foundation.
The company invited Julie Moser, breast cancer survivor and co-founder of Pink Warrior Angels out of Copperas Cove, to speak to the Soldiers about her experience with cancer.
"I've been here 10 years, but my husband has come and gone," said Moser, as Soldiers stood around her. "But, during one of those times I had a brown line under my breast. Like I burned myself. I said 'I'll go get that checked out. I go to my doctor and she finds three lumps."
"Two years went by very quickly as I went through chemotherapy and a double mastectomy," she said.
She said that her family, at the time, was very supportive of her and her husband during this time.
"I can tell you, as a military spouse, we are always prepared for our spouses to leave," she said. "We know their wishes if something should happen. But, we found that my husband had to take care of me. I had no will, my wishes were not talked about. So, it's important to talk both ways about that."
"My official diagnosis date is October 23, 2013," she said. My five year 'caniversary' date is on Sunday. That is a huge milestone for those in the breast cancer world, but also a scary time. I have many friends that are re-diagnosed because they are scanned. I have many friends that have died."
Moser said that one in eight women and one in 844 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.
After Moser finished her speech to the 163rd Soldiers, they formed up. The formation riddled with pink. Pink shorts, shirts, bandanas, and socks, all in support of breast cancer. They ran for Moser.
Capt. Maureen De Haro, the 163rd HHD commander, took Moser inside the company to show her the donation table. The company planned a bake sale to support awareness.
They also talked about the Soldiers and how several have been touched by cancer in one fashion or another. De Haro said, whether it is family members or friends, our Soldiers have experienced the effects of cancer.
She encourages her Soldiers to do something bigger than themselves, said De Haro. Soldiers volunteer by raising their right hand. Do no wait to be voluntold to support another cause.
De Haro said that the idea originated between two Soldiers, Spc. Brandon Harris and Pfc. Adalyn Nelson. The company then ran with the idea.
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