Clydesdales Horses pay Fort Stewart a visit

By Spc. Michael Adams, 3rd ID Public AffairsMarch 24, 2011

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Burton Westbrook, a Clydesdale handler with the Anheuser Busch Corporation, presents a plaque to Lt. Col. William Reitemeyer, commander of the Fort Stewart Warrior Transition Battalion, for his dedication to Soldiers and their Family Members, March 1... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT STEWART, Ga. - Soldiers, Family Members and members of the surrounding community had the opportunity to meet with the Budweiser Clydesdales, March 15, at the Brits and Bridle Club on Fort Stewart.

The Clydesdales were in town to participate in the March 17 Savannah St. Patrick's Day Parade and gave citizens of the area a chance to see the Clydesdales in person.

While the company was proud to be a part of the community, they also took the opportunity to honor Soldiers who have sacrificed so much.

Burton Westbrook, a Clydesdale handler, had a message for those who chose to serve their country.

"Thank you," he said. "We're glad they come to see us, but we're glad to show them our horses too. They have a heck of a lot harder job than we do."

Westbrook presented a plaque to Lt. Col. William Reitemeyer, commander of the Fort Stewart Warrior Transition Battalion for all the work he has done for Soldiers and their Families.

"The support we receive from the community is humbling and makes our job so much easier to do," said Lt. Col. Reitemeyer. "It gives a lot of real meaning to the work we do and you see it day in and day out. It's great to see the recognition coming from somebody on the outside."

Members of the community were excited to be able to visit with the Clydesdales up close.

Christina Varnedoe, a native of Liberty County, has been attending the Savannah St. Patrick's Day Parade since she was a child. She wanted to be able to share the experience with her daughter, Mary Mobley, 3.

Mary Mobley got a chance to see Chip, one of the Clydesdales.

"The Clydesdales were the greatest memory of the parade," she said. "So I just came to share that with my daughter. I think she thoroughly enjoyed Chip and I'm sure Chip will be a conversation in our house for many years to come."

Anheuser Busch has more than 230 horses that tour all over the country. The 10 horses that came to southeast Georgia are based out of Merrimac, New Hampshire.