Clarksville Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual Warrior Week to celebrate service members and their Families.
"We host this event every year to strengthen the relationship between our community and Fort Campbell," said Paul Turner, Clarksville Chamber of Commerce, military affairs chairman. "It is also an opportunity to say thank you to the Soldiers and their Families."
The April 19-Saturday festivities included a special movie night hosted at Clarksville's Regal Cinemas, the 25th Annual Godfather Invitational Golf Tournament at Clarksville Country Club and the Tobacco Stick Softball game pitting members of the Clarksville community against Fort Campbell Soldiers.
The celebration began with an opening ceremony at Clarksville's Downtown Commons.
"Warrior Week creates introductions between the civilians in Clarksville and the Soldiers at Fort Campbell," Turner said. "Many of those introductions have turned into lasting relationships and friendships. It is one of the many ways we continue to strengthen the relationships between the two communities."
The 25th Annual Godfather Invitational Golf Tournament boasted 16 teams that included a mix of Clarksville business leaders, civilians and Soldiers.
"I thought it was awesome that the city of Clarksville came together and put the golf game together for us," said Staff Sgt. Andrew Price, C Company, 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division. "It made me really proud to be a Soldier."
Clarksville capped off the celebration honoring its military community with the Tobacco Stick Softball game.
The Tobacco Stick softball game gets its name and trophy from Clarksville's rich tobacco history. Beginning in the mid-1800s, Clarksville's tobacco industry boomed. In 1965 the number of tobacco warehouses began to dwindle and eventually became nonexistent in 2004; however, Montgomery County still produces dark-fired tobacco used in snuff and chewing tobacco products.
"We have been playing [the Tobacco Stick Softball] game for a few years now and it's great for building relationships," said 1st Sgt. Jason Kaack, 551st Military Police Company, 716th Military Police Battalion, and coach of the Fort Campbell softball team.
Although close, Fort Campbell managed to snatch the prized tobacco stick with a winning score of 11-10.
"The CG said there's one thing he wanted - [he wanted] the tobacco stick back," Kaack said. "It was a good game, really came down to the wire."
Clarksville Chamber of Commerce hosts Warrior Week every year to show its appreciation for Fort Campbell service members who make a home for their Families in the area, even if only for a short time.
"We really appreciate everything the Clarksville Chamber of Commerce does for us," said Col. Joseph P. Kuchan, Fort Campbell garrison commander. "Warrior Week is a great way to show support for the Soldiers on Fort Campbell."
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