Sgt. Shawn Belk, left, petroleum supply specialist, Company A, 404th General Aviation Support Battalion, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, practices talking down Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training instructor Staff Sgt. Christine Mangus, chaplain assistant, 4th CAB, who is role-playing a suicidal individual, from harming herself, June 6, at the Provider Chapel.

By Sgt. William Smith

4th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office

Fourteen Joint Task Force Carson leaders gained the knowledge to be able to better help their Soldiers through tough times, June 5-6.

The Soldiers attended the two-day Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training; an intensive, interactive and practice-dominated course designed to help people recognize and review risk, and intervene to prevent the immediate risk of suicide, according to the ASIST website.

“The ASIST program helps give first-line supervisors the tools and in-depth training they need to help Soldiers who may be at risk for suicide,” said Chap. (Capt.) Ben Clark, instructor, 1st Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division.

“By training first-line supervisors, it provides a more likely person for a Soldier dealing with thoughts of suicide to talk to, because they are more apt to talk to someone who has been through similar experiences, that they know and respect,” Clark said.

Sgt. Shawn Belk left the training confident of the skills he learned.

“This training is going to help me be able to give assistance to those who need it; not just Soldiers, but to anyone,” said the petroleum supply specialist with Company A, 404th General Support Aviation Battalion, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division. “As a Soldier, I signed up to help protect my country, so if I come across anyone in need of help, I will be able to fall back on this training and help them as much as I can.”

Sgt. 1st Class Cedric Durr said the training prepared him to guide his Soldiers through the steps of recovery.

“This training will help as far as identifying warning signs and tendencies in those high-risk Soldiers,” said the platoon sergeant with Company B, 404th GSAB, 4th CAB. “I now know how to get Soldiers the help that they need. I will be able to provide them with the counseling and guidance (on) how to recover from what they struggle with.”

Belk said the training has made him a more complete leader.

“This training should not be thought of as a check the box; it is real life training,” Belk said. “Hopefully I will never need to utilize it, but I will be ready if the need or occasion arises.” Durr said people can always be more prepared.

“As much as we think we know how to handle a situation involving suicide, there is still something that you can learn,” he said.

The 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson Mounted Color Guard escorts Soldiers from 4th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, to the finish line of the final event of a spur ride, May 23.

Story and photos by Spc. Robert Holland

3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office, 4th Infantry Division

Cavalry Soldiers and their Families participated in back-to-back training events to foster team building, and to give the spouses and children a better understanding of what cavalry scouts do on a daily basis.

Soldiers from 4th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, participated in a three-day rigorous leader certification program, also known as a Spur Ride, May 21-23, while the Family event took place June 1.

Within the cavalry world, earning the privilege to wear spurs is an important rite of passage, and one of the highest honors a cavalry scout can earn, said Command Sgt. Maj. Edwin A. Rivera, senior enlisted adviser, 4th Sqdn., 10th Cav. Reg. Many consider it one of the crowning achievements of their military career.

“The Spur Ride is a mentally and physically demanding event that challenges Soldiers to push themselves in a tactical environment,” said Lt. Col. Stephen C. Marr, commander, 4th Sdn., 10th Cav. Reg. “Upon successfully completing the Spur Ride, our Soldier leaders have demonstrated to everyone that they have the skills, endurance and fortitude to lead.”

According to Rivera, developing leadership skills is just one of the reasons the unit conducts a spur ride at least annually. He said the Soldier spur ride and Family spur ride help build teamwork and camaraderie, both within the organization and the greater cavalry and Fort Carson communities.

“The whole concept is teamwork,” Rivera said. “In the Army, you do not do anything by yourself; it is always a whole team effort.”

Both Marr and Rivera said the spur ride events offer a greater purpose than just testing Soldiers’ leadership skills.

“Spurs symbolize all of the qualities of professional excellence that all cavalry troopers hold in common— esprit de corps, tactical and technical expertise, common sense, judgment and the ability to operate independently, with minimal guidance,” Marr said.

Lexie Coppinger, wife of Spc. Anthony Coppinger, cavalry scout, Troop C, 4th Sqdn., 10th Cav. Reg., and her daughter arrived to Fort Carson and the 3rd ABCT right before the spur ride events kicked off. New to the unit, the couple said they did not know anyone, and even though her husband had already earned his spurs and been inducted into the Order of the Spur, they jumped at the opportunity to be involved in the spur ride week activities.

“Both my husband and I think it is really nice to bring the entire team — Soldier and Family —together,” Lexie Coppinger said. “We just moved here, and the spur ride allowed my husband to interact and get to know the guys he works with better.”

She said her husband was not the only one to benefit.

“For me, the Family spur ride event gave me the incredible opportunity to meet other Families within the unit and start building a bond with them,” Lexie Coppinger said. “Just knowing others within the unit, and being given the opportunity to build new friendships, can help build morale, not just for the Soldiers, but the Families, too.”

Morgan Waterman and his son, Noah, pose for a picture at Iron Horse Park, March 29.

By Staff Sgt. Wallace Bonner

4th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office

Morgan Waterman’s daily routine is defined by his son, the challenges almost commonplace. On a good night, his son sleeps straight through. On a bad night, he’ll be up a couple of times.

His 16-month-old alarm clock wakes him up around 8 or 9 a.m.

Next is feeding his son breakfast, followed by cleaning up the vomit, which happens after every meal. Typically, he’ll have a couple of hours before the next feeding/vomit cycle.

After that, it’s the appointment of the day, at least three times a week. They eat dinner, clean up the mess, followed by bath time and bed, to start the pattern all over again.

For some men, the challenge of dealing with the host of medical problems that come with taking care of a premature child and his associated medical problems would be daunting, to say the least.

To Morgan Waterman, it’s just what he does.

“All his little problems, the G-tube, stuff like that, she gets freaked out when we have to change it,” Morgan said of his wife, Capt. Rebecca Waterman. “She won’t do it, but it’s not a big deal.”

A G-tube is a special tube inserted into a child’s stomach to give food and medicine, until the child can chew or swallow on his own.

The child’s health issues, which resulted in life-changing decisions for the parents, were unexpected.

Rebecca Waterman, personnel officer, 759th Military Police Battalion, said that after about eight weeks of trying to feed her son Noah in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, they did a brain scan and diagnosed him with cerebral atrophy. His blood was cut off at some point; it could have been for 10 seconds, and they believe he suffered a stroke and stopped practicing swallowing while in the womb, an action hard to get back after birth.

Rebecca Waterman later learned the problems were because her blood platelet count was low, a condition that affects about 3 percent of the population.

Morgan Waterman takes Noah to physical therapy once a week and occupational therapy — the feeding clinic — twice a week, peppered with gastrointestinal doctor’s visits and a dietician. Some weeks, there is an appointment every day.

Prior to the emergency cesarean section and complications of birth, Morgan Waterman, who has a bachelor’s degree in business administration, planned on settling into a job. But Noah’s arrival set him on a whole new course.

“We were planning on her getting out (of the Army) or moving somewhere else, so once I graduated,

I wasn’t going to find a job right away,” said Morgan Waterman, who served four years in the Marine Corps.

“We sat down and had a talk after Noah came,” she said. “I didn’t want to force him to be a stay-at-home dad if he didn’t want to (be), and that was the route we were headed toward. My biggest fear was that he was going to resent me for being able to go to work every day, and he was going to be the one to stay home, but it’s worked out well.”

Army Family steps up

Their decision for her to stay in the Army was in large part due to the support she received after Noah was born.

“The Army has given us so much, up to this point; the Army Family was amazing during our NICU stay, me going into labor and everything, because we didn’t have any of our own Family out here.

“It was rough going for a while, but the Army stuck by us, and the friends we’ve made in the Army,” she said.

“We decided to keep rolling for a little while and see where it takes us,” he said.

The toughest part for Morgan Waterman is finding personal time, as the only breaks he receives from his daily care of Noah is through respite care, due to the special needs of his son.

“The hardest thing is not being able to get a regular babysitter, having to coordinate with respite care, having limited hours of that,” he said. “We can’t just pick up a phone and say ‘Hey, we want to go out for the day.’”

While arranging respite care can be difficult, it does allow the couple to have some free time.

“We went to watch our first movie since he’s been born, for (Morgan’s) 30th birthday, just two weeks ago,” said Rebecca Waterman. “That was nice. We coordinated two weeks out so that we could have respite care with him for four hours so we could go see a movie.”

Rebecca Waterman said she appreciates that she can trust her husband to handle Noah without any concerns.

“What I like about our situation is, even normal moms worry about their kids sometimes with dad,” she said.

“I go to work every day just fine.”

Rebecca Waterman ensures she and her son still have a good relationship.

“In the beginning, I was scared because I was afraid my kid wouldn’t know who I am, but Morgan does an awesome job,” said Rebecca Waterman. “When I was working late or anything, he’d call me or he would take videos for me. He was always adamant that when I come home Noah greets me as ‘mama’ so that he recognizes who I am.

In the beginning, he only really took to Morgan, now there’s days where he’ll sit by the front door and wait for me to come home.”

Morgan Waterman is also supportive of his wife.

“What’s really awesome is, on the weekends, even though I’ve worked through the week and Morgan has been with him all week by himself, Morgan still gives me a couple hours to go to the salon, or go do something on my own,” she said.

NCO days live on

She also recognizes how her husband’s influence has improved her Army career.

“His enlisted experience as a noncommissioned officer helped me better myself, as an officer and as a leader,” she said. “I bring scenarios home sometimes on how

I should handle it, or whether I should let my NCOs handle it, and he gives me his advice.

“I wouldn’t be as strong of a leader if I didn’t have his support,” she said.

“We compensate for each other in a lot of different ways. His strengths are my weaknesses, and his weaknesses are my strengths.”

While Rebecca Waterman has always appreciated what her husband brings to the relationship, it was only with the birth of their son and all the responsibilities that came with it, that many of her co-workers recognized his contributions.

Rebecca Waterman is now pregnant with their second boy; this time she’s fully armed with the knowledge of how to protect her growing baby, with regular doctor visits and antibody infusions to keep her and her son healthy.

Wherever their road leads, Morgan Waterman has complete confidence in his wife.

“I think whatever job she does, whether it’s in the military or a civilian job, she’ll be very good at,” he said.

Rebecca Waterman, on the other hand, knows that her husband is the one who makes it possible for her to follow her dreams.

“I love what I do, I couldn’t do it without him,” she said. “I couldn’t devote the time to taking care of Soldiers, personnel actions, without him in my corner.”

Soldiers participating in the Fort Carson Mountain Motorcycle Rally prepare to depart from Iron Horse Park on a group ride, May 30. Riders conducted a mentorship ride, grouping experienced riders with novice riders, as part of the rally to promote group-ride safety and team building.

By Staff Sgt. Henry W. Marris III

3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office, 4th Infantry Division

More than 300 motorcycle riders from the Joint Task Force Carson and Colorado Springs communities joined together for the Mountain Motorcycle Rally May 30 at Iron Horse Park.

The purpose of the rally, hosted by 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, was to encourage good motorcycle practices, effective motorcycle mentorship, and positive team building for the Soldiers, Families and civilians of the JTF Carson and Colorado Springs communities, said Col. Michael C. Kasales, commander, 3rd ABCT, 4th Inf. Div.

“The intent is to have a safety focus in a festive environment,” Kasales said. “Being responsible motorcycle riders within the community is important. We want to be good partners with the community.”

A portion of the rally was a mentorship ride, in which more experienced riders were grouped with less experienced riders to conduct a check ride. The riders covered about 90 miles, from Iron Horse Park to Pueblo and then to Cañon City, before returning to the park.

“The check ride is to show people what a group ride should look like, and how it should be done,” said Capt. Luke Summerfelt, current operations, 3rd ABCT, 4th Inf. Div. “The events at the park show what you need to have, and what kind of checks you need to perform to do a group ride.”

The rally included motorcycle and personal protective equipment inspections, a mentorship ride and basic rider, best custom bike, paint scheme, smallest bike and best of show competitions.

The winners are:

• Best overall motorcycle — Antonio Brown, civilian
• Rust bucket — Spc. Steven Scott, Company B, 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 3rd ABCT
• Smallest engine — 1st Lt. Brittany McAllister, 10th Combat Support Hospital
• Basic rider safety competitions — Master Sgt. Mike Kile, Medical Department Activity, and Warrant Officer 1 Austin Johnson, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade
• Best paint scheme — Chief Warrant Officer 3 Mike Benkosky, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
• Best custom bike — Sgt. 1st Class Marcus Mueller, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 3rd ABCT, Pfc. Keila Arroyo, Company A, 3rd BSTB, 3rd ABCT, who began riding motorcycles in January, said it was a great event, and she enjoyed the experience gained from attending the rally.

“This is like a family, and we take care of each other,” Arroyo said. “We learned about safety and what to do on the road. It was a great experience, and I loved it.”

Photo by Spc. Anthony Kozluechar . Mortarmen assigned to 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, fire at simulated enemy targets during Desert Centurion, May 21.

By Spc. Andrew Ingram

1st Armored Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office, 4th Infantry Division

CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait — “Raider” Brigade troops and Kuwaiti army soldiers demonstrated their heavy ordnance capabilities with mortars, artillery, tanks and other armored vehicles, collaborating to identify and destroy simulated enemy targets, during Operation Desert Centurion, May 20-21.

“During this exercise we demonstrated our ability to conduct combined operations,” said Maj. Jonathan Bender, plans officer, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division. “We developed a better shared understanding of unit tactics, techniques and procedures, to enable future planning and operations.”

By working hand in hand with Kuwaiti forces, the Raider Brigade Soldiers gained a better understanding of their partners’ capabilities, and the importance of consistent lines of communication, said Bender.

“These units demonstrated the ability to conduct combined planning and operations,” he said. “This will lead to stronger bonds between these two forces, and greater interoperability during operations.”

The exercise integrated Soldiers from the company level up to brigade staff to identify targets, request fire support, analyze the target location and execute direct and indirect fire missions.

Working in a partnership role motivated the Raider troops to surpass the standard at every opportunity during the exercise, said Pfc. Scott McColl, fire support specialist, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st ABCT.

“It was very interesting to see how the Kuwaitis operate in the field,” McColl said. “Some of their tactics and procedures are similar to ours, but I think learning each others’ differences are what will make us stronger as a whole.”

By conducting field exercises with the Kuwaiti forces, U.S. troops build the trust and respect necessary for continued, long-term partnerships, said Staff Sgt. Mathew Crane, battalion targeting noncommissioned officer, Headquarters and Head­quarters Company, 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment.

“Missions like this help us better understand how they operate, and helps them understand how we do business,” Crane said. “We’ve done a pretty good job integrating with each other; their executive officer is sitting right next to ours, and their intelligence soldiers are working with our intelligence Soldiers, so we are learning a different way of operating even as we strengthen our own skills.”

Soldiers of the Raider Brigade will continue working with Kuwaiti forces for the duration of their deployment to strengthen the nations’ partnership and enhance regional security.

Soldiers from Company C, 1st Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, climb the Manitou Incline for physical training May 31.

Story and photo by Andrea Stone

Mountaineer staff

As the sun peaked over the horizon, a steady stream of cars flowed into the Pikes Peak Cog Railway parking lot, many of them headed for the Manitou Incline.

The incline, a former cable car route that climbs 2,000 feet in the course of a mile, officially became legal to hike Feb. 1.

“It’s a wonderful place to do (physical training),” said Anneliesa Barta, Sustainable Fort Carson planner. “With that legalization comes a new set of rules. We’re hoping to educate units on using the land without overwhelming it.”

The increase in early morning traffic has also led to some concerns. Parking is limited, some of the roads are private, and the noise level can be bothersome to nearby residents.

“They’re doing their chants and things, and I’m thinking, ‘Guys, it’s 6 o’clock in the morning. There’s people trying to sleep here,’” said Roger Austin, longtime incline hiker.

Although, he’s quick to add that Soldiers are generally polite and most people don’t resent them for being there.

“A lot of folks are happy to see them here. When they deploy, you want them as fit as possible … It’s nice to see them going up with their ruck sacks,” he said.

Capt. Rob Clark, commander, Company A, 3rd Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, tries to do company PT on the incline at the end of every month to enhance esprit de corps.

“The Soldiers like it. It gives them the opportunity to see what Colorado Springs has to offer. Without this, a lot of the Soldiers wouldn’t get out of the barracks.”

There are solutions to the issues on the hill. In May, Manitou Springs began offering a free shuttle service that runs along Manitou Avenue with stops at Memorial Park and the incline. The service is scheduled to run until Sept. 7. The buses hold about 25 people and run every 20 minutes from 6-10 a.m., and every 30 minutes from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Soldiers can also carpool, a more economical option since the city began charging for parking. Parking in the cog railway lot is $5 per car, and as tourist traffic picks up over the summer, there may be fewer spaces available.

Regardless of where Soldiers choose to park, they need to be attentive. “(When) a whole group of Soldiers comes up, they have to be able to park correctly or they’re going to get ticketed. The parking authority drives up and down Ruxton (Avenue) looking for that sort of thing,” said Steve Bremner, president of Incline Friends and local resident.

Austin has advice for anyone using the incline: “Don’t use car alarms. Try to be quiet and respectful of the people who live there.”

But he understands why Soldiers want to use the incline for PT.

“You just get hooked. The views are beautiful. The sunrises are incredible. … You can’t get a more intense workout anywhere. It’s only one mile, but it’s the toughest mile you’ll ever do,” he said.

Sgt. Bradford Arnold, field artillery firefinder radar operator, Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 3rd Battalion, 29th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, talks with Mercedes Moore, national defense liaison, University of Phoenix, at an education fair May 22 at the Soldier and Family Assistance Center.

Story and photo by Spc. Robert Holland

3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office, 4th Infantry Division

Sgt. Jose Rosario was one of many Soldiers transitioning out of the Army who attended an educational fair at the Soldier and Family Assistance Center, May 22, hosted by the SFAC staff, in conjunction with the Department of Defense’s Education and Employment initiative.

Rosario, motor transport operator, 64th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, said he had planned on staying in for a full 20 years, but due to medical issues outside of his control, his service to his country is going to be cut short. Rosario is medically separating from the Army, but he said he is not worried because he has utilized programs, designed by the DOD and Army, to specifically assist Soldiers who are transitioning back into the civilian sector. He said these programs have helped guide him in the right direction.

“This is my third education fair,” Rosario said. “Events like these help me a lot. Sometimes when I get home at the end of the day, and I have all my medical problems and the associated stresses running through my mind, I can get discouraged.

“Events like this college fair, and the people at the Soldier and Family Assistance Center looking to help me, motivate me and make this process a lot easier,” he said.

Diane Magrane, SFAC education service specialist, said the earlier the Soldiers reach out for assistance, the more beneficial these programs can be.

“We are hosting this joint initiative event to make sure that we have resources and services readily available for those Soldiers getting out of the service on a medical discharge,” Magrane said. “Events like this help educate the Soldiers to what their educational benefits are and what opportunities they may have available to them upon separation, or during their transition out of the military.”

Representatives from numerous local colleges, training programs, the Wounded Warrior Project, Troops to Teachers, and the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Education were on hand to assist and educate the Soldiers in figuring out what ways they could secure their future outside the Army.

“We got a lot of different universities involved in the community that are helping our transitioning Soldiers see what’s available and also get a better understanding for what programs are available to the Soldiers here at Fort Carson,” said Bill Price, region coordinator, DOD’s Education and Employment Initiative. “The overall goal is to make sure when a Soldier leaves the military they have some place to go. We do not find them a job or a school to attend, but we do introduce them to educational opportunities, employers and employer networks.”

Both Price and Magrane stressed the importance of Soldiers being proactive during the separation process.

“Soldiers should use their time during the medical separation process to be proactive; to get an idea of what they are going to do,” Magrane said. “Sometimes it is just deciding what they want to be when they grow up; it’s all about being proactive. You do not want to wait until you have your separation papers in hand and are clearing post to come into the center or any of the other agencies and say ‘OK, now what do I do?’ The sooner a Soldier comes in for help, the better.”

Wounded warriors ride together during a bike clinic hosted by the Wounded Warrior Project, May 22.

Story and photos by Sgt. William Smith

4th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office

Wounded warriors rode their bikes 11.5 miles in an event developed to encourage and show them they can still overcome obstacles, May 21-22 on Fort Carson.

The bike clinic is part of Soldier Ride, which is designed to reintroduce servicemembers to bike riding, something many may not have done since childhood.

The clinic helped many of the participants to relax and meet fellow Soldiers going through similar trials in their lives.

“The biggest obstacle for me is my mobility, and because of my limitations, I have been very frustrated and have felt inept,” said Staff Sgt. Christopher Corbett, infantryman, Company B, Warrior Transition Battalion. “Today’s ride made me feel like I can do a lot more than I thought I ever could, even if it was on a modified version of a bike.”

The bikes can be fit to meet the many needs of warriors with various injuries.

“We haven’t had an injury yet that we couldn’t customize a bike to,” said Carlos Garzon, bike technician, Wounded Warrior Project. “The goal is to show them that they still can, that (their injuries are) a challenge that they can overcome.”

Corbett said such programs help to pull people out when they are in a funk due to an injury, that a person can do more than they thought they were capable of, and shine while doing it.

“Four or five of the guys that I rode with use canes, and I just stopped needing to have to use my cane,” Corbett said. “It’s ‘look at what you can do, you just have to apply yourself.’ Sometimes you don’t realize you are not applying yourself.”

Many of the warriors said that they were nervous about being left behind.

“The fear is that you are going to fall; you’re going to drag back and no one is going to help you stay with the group,” said Chap. (Capt.) Darell Harlow-Curtis, WTB. “That is not the case; we stop and wait for everyone as a group. It is not a victory until everyone crosses the line. You finish with that sense of camaraderie, that (feeling of) never leaving a fallen comrade.”

Corbett left the event with a sense of accomplishment.

“I may not be the infantryman I once was, but I know that I can at least push myself harder in the future,” Corbett said.

Shelley Griffin, sister-in-law of Command Sgt. Maj.
Kevin Griffin, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, makes a pencil rubbing, with the assistance of her son, Dustin Griffin, May 23.

Story and photos by Spc. Nathan Thome

4th Infantry Division Public Affairs

Joint Task Force Carson’s Families, friends and loved ones gathered May 23 at the Mountain Post Warrior Memorial to honor the memory of the servicemembers who lost their lives fighting in support of Overseas Contingency Operations.

The names of 10 Soldiers and two Airmen were added to the memorial at Kit Carson Park, to remember their sacrifice and honor their lives.

Maj. Gen. Paul J. LaCamera, commanding general, 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson, honored the servicemembers and their Families for the sacrifices they made.

“This morning on Fort Carson’s hallowed ground, we remember 12 of our fallen heroes from post, each of whom voluntarily raised their hand in a time of armed conflict, putting the nation’s needs before one’s self, defending our nation against all enemies, foreign and domestic, ultimately sacrificing all,” said LaCamera.

Twelve heroes joined the 368 fallen military servicemembers whose names are etched into eight memorial stones located just outside of Fort Carson’s Gate 1. A complete list of names was printed on Page 8 in last week’s Mountaineer; available online at http://www.csmng.com/Mountaineer.

“These names not only represent the men and women who sacrificed all, but they represent the American spirit, which answered our nation’s call that fateful September morning, more than 11 years ago,” said LaCamera.

“Our hearts go out to each of the loved ones left behind, the Families; we are forever indebted to your sacrifices,” LaCamera said. “Your resolve has been tested, your strength has been tried, and you are not on this journey alone.”

Upon completing his remarks, LaCamera, and Command Sgt. Maj. Brian Stall, senior enlisted leader, 4th Inf. Div. and Fort Carson, laid the Memorial Wreath in front of the head memorial stone.

Following the playing of “Amazing Grace” by John Poss, pipe sergeant, Pikes Peak Highlanders, another 10 Soldiers and two Airmen, who served with the fallen warriors, participated in the Roll Call of Fallen, rendering honors as they marched to the memorial stone.

“I was here to memorialize two Soldiers, Staff Sgt. Christopher Birdwell and Spc. Mabry Anders,” said Sgt. Bonifacio Luna, armored crewman, Company A, 4th Special Troops Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Inf. Div. “There’s not a time of day that I don’t think about my battle buddies.”

Luna spoke of his time downrange with Anders, and how, if at any time he had problems with the vehicles, no matter the time of day, Anders was always out there to get the vehicles up and running again.

Birdwell and Luna went to sniper school together, and Luna said they carried each other through that school, so whenever either of them had doubts about passing school, they lifted each other up and said they could do it.

As the ceremony came to a close, Families, friends and loved ones lined up at the memorial to make a pencil rubbing of their servicemember’s name on the stone.

Pam Birdwell, mother of Staff Sgt. Christopher Birdwell, 4th BCT, 4th Inf. Div., attended the ceremony and said, “It was very well done and was very respectful. These kinds of ceremonies are never easy to get through. They did a great job. They honored each Soldier, and I’m glad they have the memorial on post where people can go and honor their fallen.”

Medal of Honor recipients Drew Dix, left, and Jim Taylor unveil a portrait of Staff Sgt. Leroy Petry, recent Medal of Honor recipient, at the Center for American Values located at the Historic Arkansas Riverwalk of Pueblo, May 9. The walls inside the building are lined with more than 140 portraits of servicemembers who have received the Medal of Honor.

Story and photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew Porch

2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office, 4th Infantry Division

PUEBLO — “This medal is not for me, it is for the Soldiers that did not come back,” reads the quote under the portrait of Staff Sgt. Leroy Petry, recent Medal of Honor recipient, and the latest servicemember to have his portrait unveiled in Pueblo.

Soldiers of Fort Carson and local residents who attended the May 9 ceremony at the Center for American Values interacted with Medal of Honor recipients, toured the facility that features more than 140 portraits of servicemembers awarded the MOH and witnessed the unveiling of the newest portrait.

Petry distinguished himself when he engaged an armed enemy in the vicinity of the Paktia Province, Afghanistan, May 26, 2008. While wounded from enemy fire,

Petry, with complete disregard for his own safety, picked up an enemy grenade that landed feet from him and his Soldiers. As he released the grenade it detonated, amputating his right hand at the wrist. Despite the severity of his wounds, he placed a tourniquet on his wrist and continued to communicate for support via radio.

Petry, who was not able to attend the unveiling due to back surgery, is currently stationed in Fort Lewis, Wash., and has taken on the task of helping wounded warriors and their Families.

Capt. Adam Fullerton, Rear Detachment commander, 3rd Battalion, 16th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, said he felt honored to attend the event.

“It was a pretty emotional event with three Medal of Honor recipients there,” he said. “You could just tell what it meant to those guys and what it meant to the community. I was fortunate to be a part of it.”

Drew Dix, Medal of Honor recipient, spoke of the importance of the center.

“When (children) leave here, we know that a few of them are going to take something away from this,” said Dix.

“They are going to help carry the message that we’re trying to create here.”

Capt. Matt Anderson, Fort Carson Warrior Transition Battalion, said he appreciates the support of the community.

“It’s awesome,” he said. “It depends (on) where you live, but it’s not always as prevalent as you would like it to be. It’s always awesome to have the local community on your side.”

To learn more about the 140 Medal of Honor recipients, visit the Center for American Values at 101 S. Main Street, Suite 100 in Pueblo.