Tour draws community members

FORT CARSON, Co. -- Pioneers from the 299th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division provided a static display of their equipment, which including the RQ 7B V2 Shadow, M1255 Stryker, M240 Machine Gun and the High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle, during the Patriot Foundation corporate leaders visit at Fort Carson, Colorado, July 18.

The Patriot Foundation, which was founded in 2003, supports families of service men and women who have been killed, wounded or injured in the Global War on Terrorism.

"This is an opportunity for us to share our gratitude with those who have already served and to demonstrate how we are working to continue their legacy," said 1st Lt. Eric G. Babcock, D Company, 299th BEB, 1SBCT. "We here in 299th BEB are extremely proud and honored to be a part of the Patriot Foundation Corporate Leaders Visit."

Over the last 16 years, the nonprofit organization has provided supported, servicemen and women from the Special Operations Command, Warrior Transition Battalion, Survivor Outreach Services, XVIII Airborne Corps and the Joint Special Operations Command. Additionally, in 2011 they also supported the Navy SEAL Foundation. In 2015, they began supporting the families of the 101st Airborne Division (Ft. Campbell, KY) and in 2017, they started supporting families of the 10th Special Forces Group and 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson, CO.

Since 2003, they have donated over $5,000,000 to families and have also provided over 1,800 college scholarships, as well as childcare to enable spouses to go back to school.

"I would like to thank the Soldiers here in 299th BEB for giving us a tour of some of their equipment and explaining how they are used during missions," said Stan VanderWert, El Paso County commissioner and United States Air Force colonel, retired. "Being a veteran myself, the Patriot Foundation and what it does means a lot to me. It's one of the organizations we have here in the United States that helps take care of servicemen and women, along with the families of those who have been wounded, injured or paid the ultimate sacrifice in the Global War on Terrorism."

Throughout the rest of the visit, members also toured 10th Special Forces Group facility, which includes a static display of their vehicles and weapons, along with a tour and demo at their indoor range.