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Soldiers of the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, march with rucksacks full of gifts from Dorchester Park in Colorado Springs to the Marian House Soup Kitchen during “Operation Stryker Christmas” Dec. 4, 2015. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Nancy Lugo)
By Sgt. William Howard
1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office, 4th Infantry Division
COLORADO SPRINGS — The holiday spirit arrived early for residents of El Paso County as Soldiers from the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, marched to the Marian House Soup Kitchen with rucksacks stuffed with donations Dec. 4, 2015.
Now in its sixth year, “Operation Stryker Christmas” originated after three Soldiers volunteering at the Marian House Soup Kitchen thought hauling donations in rucksacks would be a fun way for the brigade Soldiers to repay the community for its continued support.
“This is one of the most visible ways for us to express our partnership with the great community in Colorado Springs,” said Col. David M. Hodne, commander, 1st SBCT, 4th Inf. Div. “This community is known to those who serve at Fort Carson as the ‘Best hometown in the Army.’ You can see by the number of Soldiers here today how much giving back to the community means to them.”
More than 1,000 Soldiers delivered clothes, gloves, mittens, hats, scarves, toys, blankets and nonperishable food items after completing the 2-mile march.
“I brought some toys from home. It always puts a warm spot in my heart to give back to people that aren’t as fortunate as I am,” said Pfc. Christopher Baker, signal support systems specialist,
Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 2nd Battalion, 12th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st SBCT. “It makes me feel good at the end of the day, and makes me feel like I’ve done my part to make somebody’s life better.”
Residents such as Tamara Young claimed a spot in line at around 4 a.m., enduring the frigid cold so her children would have gifts this Christmas.
“Thank you for everything that Soldiers do,” said Young, who was recently laid off from her job. “My kids wouldn’t have anything for Christmas if you didn’t do this.”
The drive not only provided assistance for those in need but also demonstrated the overall resiliency of the community.
“A community only gets stronger when we support our neighbors,” said Andy Barton, president, Catholic Charities of Central Colorado. “To have these folks from the Army doing this for the people in the community shows the strength of the community; the strength of the relationship between Colorado Springs and Fort Carson and how important the men and woman who serve this country are to the men and women in this community.”
