FORT HOOD, Texas - "Carwash! Get your car washed, help welcome your battle buddy home," was heard as Soldiers and Family members held signs, danced, and screamed for drivers to "stop on in" as they passed the parking lot of 96th Transportation Company here, July 13.
96th Trans., 180th Transportation Battalion, 4th Sustainment Brigade, 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), rear detachment participated in a carwash fundraiser sponsored by the unit's Family Readiness Group, in support of the 96th's return to Fort Hood from Iraq in late September.
"The unit has been deployed to Iraq for a year and since I was not able to deploy, I wanted to support my battle buddies the best way I could," Spc. Brian Sinclair Sr., truck driver 96th Trans., said.
Since the unit's deployment last October, the 96th's FRG Leader, Arlene Spruill, Soldiers, and Family members worked together to raise money for a welcome home ceremony.
"We are blessed to have such a great unit and the rear detachment has been awesome during this deployment," Spruill said.
The Soldiers manned the water hose, filled soap buckets, advertised, and used a lot of elbow grease.
"I was literally out there on the road to act a fool and get cars to stop.
"All I got was honks and waves, except for this one little old lady that didn't get her car washed, she just wanted to give a donation." Spc. Charles Norris, truck driver 96th Trans., said.
Getting people to contribute to a cause, especially on a hot day, is very difficult, Maj. Patricia Gutierrez, Support Operation Officer, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 13th ESC said.
"I wanted to support the unit, the family members, and the Soldiers," she said.
Gutierrez added, "It's cool that the kids are out here to support the unit too."
Spruill said, "My boys [Eric, 10, and Timothy, 9,] are very proud and 100 percent supportive of their dad, Sgt. David Spruill, and they love to help out.
"The carwash was the second carwash event that was held since the unit's deployment in October and we have planned other FRG events like selling popcorn at Fort Hood National Bank and bagging groceries at the Commissary."
Sgt. 1st Class Anthony Norman, 96th Trans, rear detachment commander said, "Even though they couldn't make the trip, the rear detachment wanted to show their support, and it says a lot about them as Soldiers."
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