Families 'walk to Iraq'

By Spc. Shameka EdwardsNovember 18, 2010

Families 'walk to Iraq'
Rosalie Mattingly, Company C Family Readiness Group leader and wife of 1st Lt. Ronald Mattingly, Division Special Troops Battalion, 4th Infantry Division, and sons participate in the DSTB Family Readiness Group "Walk to Iraq" Nov. 6, at Garden of the... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- Families of Soldiers assigned to the Division Special Troops Battalion, 4th Infantry Division, came together at the Garden of the Gods Nov. 6 to "Walk to Iraq."

The Walk to Iraq program allows family members to walk the distance from Fort Carson, Colo., to Iraq and back.

"It is a really healthy way to show the community and our Soldiers how much we are behind them," said Amber Cromack, Division Special Troops Battalion Family Readiness Group leader and wife of Capt. Robert Cromack, Headquarters Support Company, DSTB, 4th Inf. Div. "In two months we are a little over 5,300 miles. I am impressed."

"All of us come out wearing our T-shirts and we are this giant horde of spouses. When people see us, they ask what it is about, and it gives us the opportunity to tell them about our Soldiers downrange," explained Cromack.

The program helps families support each other, as well.

"It also gives us a time for fellowship and socialization with other spouses who are within the unit going through the same thing we are," Cromack said.

The battalion rear detachment commander spoke to the family members at the event.

"We appreciate every one of you guys and all the work that has been done to get everybody out here," said Maj. Matthew Cashdollar, DSTB rear-detachment commander.

To date, the DSTB families have walked 5,357.82 miles.

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