Pfc. Treymon Curry, culinary specialist, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne), flips pancakes for the Colorado Springs Western Street Breakfast June 15, 2016. (Photo by Jeanine Mezei)
By Spc. David Freydin
4th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office
Fort Carson Soldiers arrived in downtown Colorado Springs in the dead of the night June 15, 2016, to prepare for the 56th annual Colorado Springs Western Street Breakfast.
With about 1,100 pounds of pancake batter, 1,500 pounds of eggs, 80 gallons of syrup, 500 gallons of milk and 2,500 pints of juice, Soldiers from the 4th Infantry Division Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 4th Sustainment Brigade, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Engineer Battalion, 759th Military Police Battalion and 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) arrived as early as 1 a.m. to get a head start preparing breakfast for about 7,000 attendees.
The family-friendly pancake-and-eggs breakfast is more than just a good way to start a Wednesday and meet a diverse group of people in the community, said Jennifer Montoya, second-time attendee.
“It’s a mutual partnership between the military and the community in giving back to one another,” said Col. Joel D. Hamilton, garrison commander and guest speaker.
Fort Carson Soldiers have been cooking and serving at the street breakfast for more than 40 years.
“I love being able to serve and interact with the community,” said Staff Sgt. Aisha Whitten, advanced culinary NCO, 404th Aviation Support Battalion, 4th CAB.
She said witnessing her Soldiers buy breakfast for local homeless people was by far her most rewarding experience as a leader.
“I am a very compassionate leader and I try to instill that in my Soldiers,” Whitten said.
The first street breakfast was held in 1936 and it has been the kickoff event for the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo Days since 1950.
“This has been one of the best festivals I’ve been a part of,” said Elizabeth Quevedo, volunteer coordinator of the event. “The military at Fort Carson did an amazingjob with the breakfast today and this community is the most supportive military community I have ever worked with.”