“Come Meet Your Army” showcases Fort Stewart and 3rd ID to the community

By Pfc. Summer ParishSeptember 19, 2022

Come Meet Your Army Tour on Fort Stewart
U.S. Army Lt. Col. Dan Urquhart, Fort Stewart Garrison Chaplain, walks through Warriors Walk with attendees of the “Come Meet Your Army” tour at Fort Stewart, Georgia, Sept. 15, 2022. “Come Meet Your Army” tours help bridge the divide between Soldiers and civilians by allowing civilians to see the sites and sounds of a military installation and develop a better understanding of what Soldiers do on a daily basis (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Summer Parish) (Photo Credit: Pfc. Summer Parish) VIEW ORIGINAL

The 3rd Infantry Division and Fort Stewart hosted a Come Meet Your Army event at Fort Stewart, Georgia, Sept. 15, 2022. The day consisted of a tour of the base designed to showcase the installation to potential recruits and civilians from the local community who are interested in learning about the Army. The tour was open to the general public.

“We hope to achieve a better relationship with our neighbors outside the gates and allow those without a military connection to come and learn about the 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield, like how Soldiers live, where they work and train, and recreation opportunities,” said Dina McKain, Fort Stewart’s deputy garrison public affairs officer and chief of community relations.

Attendees were treated to a walkthrough of the 3rd ID Museum, a windshield tour of the installation, lunch at Club Stewart, and ended the tour at Warriors Walk. Warriors Walk is a monument to 3rd ID Soldiers who were killed in combat during operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom

Come Meet Your Army Tour on Fort Stewart
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Sal Martoelli, a U.S. Army veteran, looks at the history of 3rd Infantry Division in the 3rd ID museum at Fort Stewart, Georgia, Sept. 15, 2022. Martoelli served with the West Point band. “Come Meet Your Army” tours help bridge the divide between Soldiers and civilians by allowing civilians to see the sites and sounds of a military installation and develop a better understanding of what Soldiers do on a daily basis. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Summer Parish) (Photo Credit: Pfc. Summer Parish) VIEW ORIGINAL
Come Meet Your Army Tour on Fort Stewart
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Attendees of the “Come Meet Your Army” tour learn about the history of the 3rd Infantry Division at the 3rd Infantry Division Museum at Fort Stewart, Georgia, Sept. 15, 2022. “Come Meet Your Army” tours help bridge the divide between Soldiers and civilians by allowing civilians to see the sites and sounds of a military installation and develop a better understanding of what Soldiers do on a daily basis. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Summer Parish) (Photo Credit: Pfc. Summer Parish) VIEW ORIGINAL

“My dad is a Vietnam veteran,” said Michelle Edenrusick, a Navy veteran and teacher. “I thought this would be a good opportunity for my son to come out and see what the Army is about.”

Tours like Come Meet Your Army help bridge the divide between Soldiers and civilians by allowing civilians to see the sites and sounds of a military installation and develop a better understanding of what Soldiers do on a daily basis.

“I think the Come Meet Your Army tour is imperative, because as a recruiter we get applicants, we get families, and parents who want to know about the Army,” said Staff Sgt. Mariah Jones, an Army recruiter. “We talk about some of the incentives and benefits that the Army can provide, but seeing it first hand, they can see the facilities on post, such as gyms, housing, and get a better look at the Army as a whole, as opposed to us just talking about it.”

Community engagement events like Meet Your Army are important because they showcase Soldiers’ daily lives to family members and the public to raise awareness and spark patriotism.

Come Meet Your Army Tour on Fort Stewart
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army veterans walk through Warriors Walk during a “Come Meet Your Army” tour at Fort Stewart, Georgia, Sept. 15, 2022. The “Warriors Walk” remembers all Soldiers who paid the ultimate sacrifice during Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Summer Parish) (Photo Credit: Pfc. Summer Parish) VIEW ORIGINAL
Come Meet Your Army Tour on Fort Stewart
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Monae Quimby and Staff Sgt. Mariah Jones, both Army recruiters in Hinesville, Georgia, walk through Warriors Walk during a “Come Meet Your Army” tour at Fort Stewart, Georgia, Sept. 15, 2022. The walkway is dedicated to the Soldiers and attached units of 3rd Infantry Division who are remembered for their exceptional valor, honor, and sacrifice in belief of their cause during Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Summer Parish) (Photo Credit: Pfc. Summer Parish) VIEW ORIGINAL

“I enjoy the relationships between the people on the Come Meet Your Army tour,” said Maj. Lee Faye, a Fort Stewart chaplain. “I like that people love to come support our country and support what we do here on Fort Stewart.”