5th RTB throws bash

By Vince Little, The BayonetNovember 6, 2009

5th RTB throws bash
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

DAHLONEGA, Ga. - Not even the rain could chase away the array of "creatures" that gathered Friday at Porter Village.

Soldiers and families - many dressed up in outfits both ghoulish and charming - turned out in the military housing area for the 5th Ranger Training Battalion's annual Halloween party. The event featured a chili cook-off, costume contest, inflatable bouncy castles for the kids and a bonfire as a nightcap.

The unit was on a six-day break between cycles following a stretch of six weeks training Ranger students in the North Georgia mountains. Another 42-day stint began Sunday.

"It's one of the few times we can get everybody together," said LTC Chris Stone, the 5th Ranger Training Battalion commander. "Besides functions like this, we don't get a chance to see everybody that often."

Lumpkin County Fire Department members served as judges of the chili cook-off.

The weather, which forced postponement of planned hayrides, didn't bother Tom Danek. The staff sergeant sat underneath the big outdoor tent for a hot bowl of chili with his wife, Kimberly, and their 19-month-old daughter, Sophia, who was decked out in an elephant costume.

"It's a good showing," Danek said of the turnout. "There might be even more people if not for the rain."

Four-year-old twins Joshua and Cameron Staugler, dressed as a Soldier and Army aviator, respectively, won in the "cutest child category" during costume judging.

SFC Thomas Flaherty, wearing a large, inflatable deer costume, was "chased" around the grounds all evening by his 5-year-old daughter, Holly, who wore camouflaged hunting gear while brandishing a bow and arrow. Collectively, they were named "best family costume."

Lilly Morgan, 3, was selected "best overall child costume" as Snow White. Her older sister, Lacey, 9, wore a dead bride costume and took first place in the "scariest child" category.

"My mom put on a really cool video (Tim Burton's Corpse Bride). I saw how pretty she looked and I wanted to look like her for Halloween," Lacey said. "I'm happy 'cause I won. I really, really liked (the party)."