“‘Manchu Week’ was a phenomenal opportunity for our Soldiers, Families, friends and Manchu veterans to come together to strengthen the bonds of camaraderie …”
— Lt. Col. Lawson F. Bell
A young boy tries on a combat vehicle crewman’s helmet with the help of his mother during the 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, organization day Aug. 23, 2017. (Photo by 1st Lt. John F. Kistler)
By 1st Lt. John F. Kistler III
4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division
Past and present Soldiers and their Families of the 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, celebrated the unit’s legacy during the first “Manchu Week” Aug. 21-25, 2017, on Fort Carson and in Colorado Springs.
The weeklong event provided a chance for friends and Families to celebrate current and former “Manchu” Soldiers.
“Manchu Week was a phenomenal opportunity for our Soldiers, Families, friends and Manchu veterans to come together to strengthen the bonds of camaraderie, raise esprit de corps and reward everyone for their hard work and dedication,” said Lt. Col. Lawson F. Bell, commander, 4th Bn., 9th Inf. Reg., 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division.
Activities kicked off with a flag football tournament between all the battalion’s companies with Company A coming out victorious in the end. The day continued with a firearms shooting competition and a spades tournament.
The battalion’s organization day was held Aug. 23, 2017, as friends and Families gathered in the battalion motor pool for various Soldiering events and activities. Children were able to get their faces painted, fire water balloon mortar rounds, assist medics with rendering first aid to a wounded Soldier and take rides in a Stryker.
Privates new to 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, dressed in period uniforms share unit history during a Manchu tattoo Aug. 23, 2017. Command Sgt. Maj. Chad Brown cast newly gained privates because he said they would be the Soldiers carrying on the unit’s history and traditions. (Photo by Spc. Devon Arceneaux)
The day culminated with the performance of the second annual Manchu tattoo. A tattoo is a military performance of music or display of armed forces in general; the term derives from the 17th century Dutch phrase doe den tap toe (“turn off the tap”), a signal sounded by drummers or trumpeters to instruct innkeepers near military garrisons to stop serving drinks and for Soldiers to return to their barracks. The tattoo was originally a form of military music but the practice has evolved into more elaborate shows involving theatrics and musical performances.
The 4th Bn., 9th Inf. Reg., tattoo featured brief speeches by privates new to their units dressed in historically accurate period uniforms. Command Sgt. Maj. Chad Brown said he chose to cast newly gained privates because they would be the ones carrying on the unit’s history and traditions.
Pvt. Nathan Lankford, infantryman, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, spent several days leading up to the tattoo practicing and rehearsing his speech.
“I got to play a Revolutionary lieutenant who was recruiting for the 9th Infantry Regiment. It was pretty awesome, and I was glad to make a good first impression on the unit,” said Lankford.
Other events included a motorcycle mentorship ride, a fishing tournament and a Red Rocks Open Space climb. Manchu Week concluded with a battalion ball.
Veterans who served in the 9th Infantry Regiment in Alaska, Korea, Washington and during the Vietnam War participated in the week’s events alongside current Manchus.
“It was nice being able to be with my friends, and their spouses, and just being able to sit down and have a great time,” said Spc. Forrest Comer, small arms artillery repairman, Forward Support Company G, after attending his first military ball.