3d ESC Soldiers participate in Troop Appreciation Dinner

By 3d Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) Public AffairsOctober 19, 2009

3d ESC Soldiers participate in Troop Appreciation Dinner
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Spc. Joshua Hayes, a 3d Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) help desk technician and Lockhart, Texas, native and Spc. James Garvin, a 3d ESC support operations administrative specialist and Denham Springs, La., native, participated in a Troop Appreci... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
3d ESC Soldiers participate in Troop Appreciation Dinner
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Fifty Soldiers from Fort Knox's 3d Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) participated in a Troop Appreciation Dinner sponsored by the Freedom Alliance at the Ruth's Chris Steakhouse in Louisville, Ky. The Freedom Alliance routinely holds events as suc... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
3d ESC Soldiers participate in Troop Appreciation Dinner
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Sgt. Onyebuci Mordi, a Chicago native and human resources noncommissioned officer, Sgt. 1st Class Diana Burtonmiller, a Margate, Fla., native and human resources NCO, Spc. James Garvin, a 3d ESC support operations administrative specialist and Denham... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT KNOX, Ky. - Soldiers from Fort Knox's 3d Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) participated in a Troop Appreciation Dinner recently sponsored by the Freedom Alliance at the Ruth's Chris Steakhouse in Louisville, Ky.

The dinner was held in honor of the 3d ESC Soldiers for their service and sacrifice as they return to Fort Knox from Iraq after a 15-month deployment.

The night out also helped to build resiliency amongst the Soldiers, as resilience is important physically, mentally, and emotionally for Soldiers, their families and the U.S. Army.

Home since August, the 3d ESC Soldiers in attendance appreciated and enjoyed the opportunity to be wined and dined for a night at one of Louisville's most prestigious restaurants.

"The night out at Ruth's Chris on behalf of the Freedom Alliance really made me feel proud to be a service member," said Spc. Thomas Christensen, an ammunition specialist with the 3d ESC and Crestview, Fla., native. "I wish more Soldiers from the unit could have gone and experienced it, but those who did have the opportunity really enjoyed it."

Christianson was just one of many Soldiers from the 3d ESC who had the opportunity to attend the event and choose from a menu that included an appetizer, salad, steak and dessert.

The Freedom Alliance, based out of Dulles, Va., routinely holds events as such to pay tribute to members of the Armed Forces around the country.

An educational and charitable foundation founded in 1990 by Lt. Col. Oliver L. North, the Freedom Alliance reached out to the Fort Knox community for units to support and found the 3d ESC, who had just returned from a deployment.

The organization then set up the event which allowed the Soldiers a night to relax and be honored for their services.

"Our mission is to serve the military in whatever way that is possible for us," said Alicia Behm, the program director for the Freedom Alliance. "Whatever the situation, we support our Troops in any way that we can."

The mission of the Freedom Alliance is to advance the American heritage of freedom by honoring and encouraging military service and defending the sovereignty of the United States and promoting a strong national defense.

The Freedom Alliance sponsors and supports many different programs to include the Support Our Troops program, the Leadership Academy, Freedom Concerts and Freedom Cruises.

Photos and story by Spc. Michael Behlin, 3d Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) public affairs.

For queries, contact 3d Sustainment Command Public Affairs at: (502) 624-8601.

For high-resolution photos and stories by the 3d Sustainment Command, please contact the Digital Video and Imagery Distribution System by calling (678) 421-6612 or access them online at http://www.dvidshub.net/units/3sce.