FORT HOOD, Texas-Soldiers and Family Readiness Group leaders from 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, traveled to Brooke Army Medical Center, in San Antonio, July 13.
The visit was to let their wounded warrior brothers know their unit is still behind them and to encourage them to continue their mission of recovery and rehabilitation.
Soldiers and FRG leaders had lunch at BAMC's dining facility, where they talked about the upcoming deployment and the progress of the injured Soldiers.
Recuperating from injuries sustained in Operation Iraqi Freedom 09-11, Pfc. Sean Beck, a former 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment Soldier, was happy to see familiar faces.
"We fought side-by-side with these guys and to see them again is definitely a morale boost," said Beck, who suffered injuries to his face, arms and legs from shrapnel when an insurgent tossed a grenade under his vehicle at an Iraq Police checkpoint in Mosul, Iraq.
"It means a lot to me personally that my unit cared enough about us to let these guys come here for a visit, and I know the other 3rd Brigade Soldiers rehabbing here appreciate these visits as well. It reminds us that the leadership and the Soldiers in the units are still behind us, encouraging us to get better," Beck said.
Sgt. 1st Class Charles Armstead, a former platoon sergeant with 1st Bn., 12th Cav. Regt., knows his former unit is training for next year's deployment, but was eager to recollect with Soldiers he trained and deployed with.
"With so many new Soldiers in the company and so much training on their schedule, the fact that they would take time to come here and reminisce with us is awesome," said Armstead.
However, for one Soldier the trip was not about getting time off from the training schedule, but about supporting family.
"We want our brothers here to know that even though we are training up to deploy without them, we still have their backs and appreciate the sacrifices that they have made," said Sgt. Marion Deboe, from St. Louis, Mo.
"It's important to stay-in-touch with these heroes who have sacrificed so much, and to do whatever is necessary to assist them in their recoveries," he added.
Smiles and laughter served as reminders that these Soldiers were close, as the Soldiers told stories about former and current Soldiers from their units.
Lori Carpenter, the 3rd Brigade FRSA, said the visit to BAMC was just what the visiting and recovering Soldiers needed.
"The visit allowed Soldiers to see their buddies, share a few laughs, catch up on current events, but more importantly, it allowed them to see that their buddies and their families were being cared for and that's something they can take back to their companies and share with the other Soldiers who could not make the trip," said Carpenter.
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