Clik here to view.
Clik here to view.
FORT CARSON, Colo. — 1st Lt. Benjamin Francis, infantry officer with 1st Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, reads to the students of Weikel Elementary School May 3, 2018. (Photo by 1st Lt. Brian Lee)
By 1st Lt. Brian Lee
1st Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division
FORT CARSON, Colo. — One battalion is working with the local community by pairing with Weikel Elementary School as part of the Fort Carson School Sponsorship Program.
With the end of the 2017-2018 school year, the Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment “Straight and Stalwart,” 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, are already planning and preparing for another year of partnership activities with Weikel Elementary School.
Clik here to view.
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Cpl. Charles Frantz, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, interacts with students from Weikel Elementary School during recess March 12, 2018. (Photo by 1st Lt. Brian Lee)
The Soldiers support the school by assisting the staff during events such as holiday parties, fun runs, school dances and field days.
“What both Soldiers and kids gain from this partnership is immeasurable,” said Lt. Col. Jerem Swenddal, commander, 1st Bn., 41st Inf. Reg., 2nd IBCT. “Our Soldiers have the opportunity to serve as role models and impact the lives of these kids in a positive way.”
Even with the majority of the battalion deployed to Afghanistan earlier this year, the relationship with the school has not decreased.
The Soldiers who stayed at Fort Carson engaged with the students of the school during lunch and recess to include recently participating in the school’s celebration of Dr. Seuss’s birthday.
“When our Soldiers give their time and attention, it lets the kids know they are important and that their community cares about them,” said Swenddal. “We are proud of our Soldiers and of the partnership they have developed with Weikel.”
Clik here to view.
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Spc. Damien Mendez, Company D, 1st Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, helps a student from Weikel Elementary tie his shoes Feb. 12, 2018. (Photo by 1st Lt. Brian Lee)
For the past several months, the students of Weikel Elementary School and deployed Soldiers of the battalion have exchanged letters and pictures.
“It’s important to maintain the relationship (that) the students and Soldiers have established over the past few months,” said Misty DeHerrera, principal for Weikel Elementary School. “Fort Carson is the best hometown in the Army (and) their efforts really help build that Family feel.”
According to leaders in the battalion, they plan to kick off their new school year of partnership by having Soldiers at the school entrance to welcome students on their first day of school.