Fort Bliss Monitor

3-43 ADA takes the day off

Pfc Benjamin Mueller
3rd BN., 43rd ADA

Echo Battery Soldiers slap a volleyball around.

Over the past eight months, Soldiers of the 3rd Battalion, 43rd Air Defense Artillery have stepped up to demanding tasks and changes of critical leadership.

Thursday, 3-43 ADA held an Organizational Day to take a well-deserved break from their training. The battalion met at Biggs Water Park at 8:30 a.m. in civilian clothes with family, friends and pets in tow.

Following a brief formation, the games began. Friendly competition was encouraged as units vied for trophies in events like flag football, basketball, volleyball; and for bragging rights for more sedentary pursuits such as spades, horseshoes, and dominoes.

While the Soldiers played, children tossed beanbags, jumped on balloons, and frolicked in the water park.
The battalion raised more than $5,000 for the event through Civilian Clothes days, Rank Auctions, and private donations. Command Sgt. Maj. Henry Hurd, 11th Brigade, auctioned his rank for two days to support 3-43’s efforts. Nearly 20 local restaurants, hotels, and other businesses donated money, discounts, weekend trips, and gift certificates.

Capt. Rollin Heassler and sergeants first class Donald Marcus and Robert Boucher coordinated the event. Boucher noted, “There was a healthy response from the community. I am always amazed at how supportive the El Paso community is towards Fort Bliss events. There was no lack of sponsors willing to help defray the costs to these rewarding Soldiers.”

Lunch was catered by Cattleman’s Steakhouse. Hot brisket was served buffet-style by a pleasant group of professional civilians. While most meals dished out at Organizational Days are manned by military cooks and volunteers, 3-43’s commander Lt. Col. Daniel Karbler wanted as few Soldiers working as possible. Aside from medics on standby and adults who took shifts watching the children, Soldiers were free to participate in sports and strengthen friendships on the sidelines.

As the Organizational Day concluded and the disk jockey packed his compact discs, points were tallied and Alpha Battery was declared the winner of the Commander’s Trophy. The Command Team also raffled off trips and gift certificates. The event, and subsequent three-day weekend, segued into the battalion’s block leave period which is slated to last through mid-August.



www.bliss.army.mil	Published for the Fort Bliss/El Paso, Texas Community	July 22, 2004

<map name="boxmap-b4"> <area shape="rect" coords="0, 589, 120, 600" href="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm/privacy-policy.html?o=1" > <area coords="0,0,10000,10000" href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?tag=&creative=92501&camp=8117&link_code=dl1&path=subst/misc/amazon-cobrand-cc/v3/marketing-from-associates-step1.html/ref%3Db1_assoc_29" > </map>	3-43 ADA takes the day off Pfc Benjamin Mueller 3rd BN., 43rd ADA Echo Battery Soldiers slap a volleyball around. Over the past eight months, Soldiers of the 3rd Battalion, 43rd Air Defense Artillery have stepped up to demanding tasks and changes of critical leadership. Thursday, 3-43 ADA held an Organizational Day to take a well-deserved break from their training. The battalion met at Biggs Water Park at 8:30 a.m. in civilian clothes with family, friends and pets in tow. Following a brief formation, the games began. Friendly competition was encouraged as units vied for trophies in events like flag football, basketball, volleyball; and for bragging rights for more sedentary pursuits such as spades, horseshoes, and dominoes. While the Soldiers played, children tossed beanbags, jumped on balloons, and frolicked in the water park. The battalion raised more than $5,000 for the event through Civilian Clothes days, Rank Auctions, and private donations. Command Sgt. Maj. Henry Hurd, 11th Brigade, auctioned his rank for two days to support 3-43’s efforts. Nearly 20 local restaurants, hotels, and other businesses donated money, discounts, weekend trips, and gift certificates. Capt. Rollin Heassler and sergeants first class Donald Marcus and Robert Boucher coordinated the event. Boucher noted, “There was a healthy response from the community. I am always amazed at how supportive the El Paso community is towards Fort Bliss events. There was no lack of sponsors willing to help defray the costs to these rewarding Soldiers.” Lunch was catered by Cattleman’s Steakhouse. Hot brisket was served buffet-style by a pleasant group of professional civilians. While most meals dished out at Organizational Days are manned by military cooks and volunteers, 3-43’s commander Lt. Col. Daniel Karbler wanted as few Soldiers working as possible. Aside from medics on standby and adults who took shifts watching the children, Soldiers were free to participate in sports and strengthen friendships on the sidelines. As the Organizational Day concluded and the disk jockey packed his compact discs, points were tallied and Alpha Battery was declared the winner of the Commander’s Trophy. The Command Team also raffled off trips and gift certificates. The event, and subsequent three-day weekend, segued into the battalion’s block leave period which is slated to last through mid-August.