By Billie Garner
Garrison Public Affairs Office
FORT CARSON, Colo. — 2nd Lt. Angela M. DiMattia, Family readiness leader and 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Officer, presents a gift from 2nd IBCT leadership to Fort Carson visitor, Ariana April 20, 2018, at the 2nd IBCT Headquarters, James Griffin Memorial Building on Butts Army Air Field. (Photo by Amber L. Martin)
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Soldiers with 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, helped make a Colorado teen’s dream come true April 20, 2018.
2nd Lt. Angela M. DiMattia, 2nd IBCT, met Ariana G. April 7, 2018, when she presented the teen with the Realities for Children “Keeping Dreams Alive” humanitarian award at a ceremony in Fort Collins, Colo.
“To be considered for the award, given to only three or four children each year, a letter had to be submitted explaining their dream and, if awarded, what they would like to do,” said Adrienne Birt, a social worker who nominated Ariana for the award.
In her letter, Ariana, 14, wrote, “My dream is to visit Fort Carson. I think it is so amazing there are people out there who give their entire lives to fight for our freedom.”
“I have never been on a military installation before and think it would be interesting to walk around and see one in person,” she said. “I want the opportunity to say thank you to some of these people.”
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Ariana is elated after receiving an Army jacket as a gift from 2nd Lt. Angela M. DiMattia, Family readiness leader and 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Officer, at the 2nd IBCT Headquarters, James Griffin Memorial Building on Butts Army Air Field. (Photo by Capt. Nina K. Cremean)
Receiving the award from a Soldier was a surprise to Ariana, she said.
After presenting the award, DiMattia, Family readiness leader for 2nd IBCT, jumped into action to help grant Arianna’s wish, coordinating with her unit to plan a special day at Fort Carson.
Craig Secher, Realities for Children, helped coordinate Fort Carson support at the awards ceremony in Fort Collins and arranged for transportation for the installation visit.
“Ariana is a remarkable young lady who has overcome (adversity) throughout her life, being in placements during much of her childhood and separated from her four siblings,” Secher said.
Ariana arrived on Fort Carson April 20, 2018, and began her day with a visit to Kit Carson Soldier Memorial Park at the main gate with a Realities for Children representative, Birt and driver, Brandyn Kramer, in tow.
DiMattia shared the importance of the memorial area, which is dedicated to Fort Carson’s fallen Soldiers in recognition of their unselfish service and ultimate sacrifice to our nation, state and community. More than 400 names of Soldiers who died during U.S. military operations since 2001 are engraved on the stones.
After giving Ariana a tour of 2nd IBCT, 4th Inf. Div., headquarters, DiMattia spoke about the unit’s mascot, the “War Horse,” a large powerful horse ridden into battle, and the history of the brigade, which was first constituted in November 1917 in the regular Army.
FORT COLLINS, Colo. — 2nd Lt. Angela M. DiMattia, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, hugs Ariana, 14, after presenting her with the Realities for Children “Keeping Dreams Alive” humanitarian award April 7, 2018, in Fort Collins, Colorado.
DiMattia introduced Ariana to the Family of Lt. Col. Larry G. Workman, rear detachment commander, 2nd IBCT, who presented her with a military uniform complete with her name patch and hat. DiMattia gave Ariana an Army jacket, matching her own, which they wore for the duration of the visit.
Ariana joined the Workman Family at a planned 2nd IBCT Family day at Fort Carson Training Support Center. The event allowed Family members to fire military weapons in a safe, simulated environment.
Workman linked up with his Family and Ariana at the Training Support Center where his wife and daughters were also enjoying participating and using the simulators.
Workman told Ariana that he also grew up in the foster system and part of becoming a successful adult is letting “go of everything that has happened to you and not blame others,” he said.
DiMattia added that holding onto the bad things others caused in her life means that they indirectly get credit in her future successes.
“You have to own everything, the bad and the good, for it all contributes to who you will become,” DiMattia said. “The more successful you become, the more you will see that you are going to have to decide one day, who is contributing to that success and who is not, you will then have to cut people out who do not belong.”
Workman also had some advice for Ariana on her interest in joining the Army.
“If you are serious about joining the military, you should check out the high school JROTC program,” he said. “It’s military training for high school students to prepare them for military life.”
As Ariana’s day in the life of a Soldier drew to a close, she had a few favorite memories of the day.
“Shooting the guns was my favorite,” she said. “Hanging out with Angie (Dimattia) was my other favorite. I liked meeting everyone and really appreciate the gifts.”
FORT CARSON, Colo. — 2nd Lt. Angela M. DiMattia, Family readiness leader and 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Officer, addresses the importance of Mountain Post Memorial Park and its significance to those who have lost loved ones to Fort Carson visitors, Ariana and Adrienne Birt April 20, at Fort Carson’s Kit Carson Memorial Park near Gate 1. DiMattia met Ariana April 7, 2018, when she presented the teen with the Realities for Children “Keeping Dreams Alive” humanitarian award; Ariana’s dream was to visit Fort Carson. (Photo by Amber L. Martin)