By 1st Lt. Logan Bolitho
4th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division
COLORADO SPRINGS — Soldiers of 4th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, partnered with Gold Camp Elementary School to volunteer at its end of year “Cougar Fun Night” festival May 6, 2016.
As part of the Adopt-A-School program, 4th BSB Soldiers reached out to Gold Camp Elementary and were invited by the faculty to help run booths at the festival and get the chance to know the students.
“It is great that Fort Carson is taking an interest in the community,” said Karen Weber, a grandmother of one of the students. “It’s very enjoyable for the kids to see the Soldiers out and about.
The military is a vital part to the well-being of the community. They are our friends and neighbors.”
A cake walk, bouncy house, slides and an oversized game of bowling were some of the many attractions that allowed the students and Soldiers to interact and get to know each other, all while building lasting bonds of friendship.
These bonds not only linked the students and Soldiers, but also the parents and faculty.
Spc. Mariekatty Antoine, automated logistical specialist, Company B, 4th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, receives a thumbs up from an enthusiastic student for her work at “Cougar Fun Night” at Gold Camp Elementary May 6, 2016. (Photo by 1st Lt. Logan Bolitho)
“It’s great that the kids get to see the Soldiers and see how enthusiastic the Soldiers are with helping others,” said Kristi Koscove, a parent volunteer at the event. “It allows the students to get to know the Soldiers, and it helps parents to talk to their kids about what the Soldiers do.”
Having the Soldiers at the school also allowed children who have military parents to explain to their friends what their parents do for work. According to the Colorado School Administration, roughly 15 percent of students at Gold Camp Elementary have military parents.
“Having uniformed Soldiers at the event is very beneficial to all the kids but especially to those with military parents,” said Chief Warrant Officer 3 Abel Trevino, Company B, 4th BSB, and a Gold Camp Elementary parent.
“I liked the cool uniforms and how (the Soldiers) helped me on the rides. It was really fun having them here and I hope they come back again,” said a first-grader.
At the end of the night, Robyn Colbert, assistant principal of Gold Camp Elementary School, expressed her wish for the Soldiers to continue to participate at school events.
“It was a high-spirited, fun event. The energy was high for both the parents and the students who were both very involved. It was refreshing to see,” said 2nd Lt. Cathy Reyes, Company A, 4th BSB. “I would be very happy to be involved in more events with Gold Camp Elementary and love to answer more questions from the students about what the Army does.”