Fort Bragg paratroopers, Families celebrate Easter early

By Pfc. Jared Gehmann/3rd BCT, 82nd Abn. Div. PAOApril 1, 2010

Fort Bragg paratroopers, Families celebrate Easter early
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT BRAGG, N.C. - Paratroopers enjoyed a sunny afternoon with their Families during an Easter egg hunt at Pope Air Force Base, March 20.

The purpose of the event was to build cohesiveness between the Families of the paratroopers of 5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division and provided the children with an opportunity to spend time with their parents while having fun.

The Easter egg hunt comes shortly after Lt. Col. Brian Flood, a native of Sister Bay, Wis., took command of the unit.

"This event was the FRG's (Family readiness group) idea. We took command about six weeks ago and thought that it would be a great idea to have a Family event where Families from the unit could come together and bond, especially around Easter," said Flood.

Great ideas cost money however and the squadron needed a way to fund their event so they went to Jim Clark of Hope Mills, N.C., a retired Army veteran who serves as the chairman for the group Veterans of Foreign Wars, here.

"We give out several company and battalion level grants every year, when the FRG contacts us we go out to the unit and talk to them about the different programs available to them and if they qualify, we give them the grant."

With the grant, 5th Sqdn., 73rd Cav. Regt. command group and the FRG were able to provide lunch, dessert, an inflatable bouncer and slide for the children to play in, raffle ticket prizes, the Easter eggs filled with candy and even gift bags for all the Families who attended.

Towards the end of the day the children and even some of the adults had an opportunity to have their picture taken with the Easter Bunny.

"The VFW was the major contributor to making this day happen, without their donation none of this would have been possible," said Flood.