Fort Bliss Monitor

Spc.Brooks Fletcher

The head table, Cols. John Modell and Roberto Nang, and Command Sgt. Maj. Garfield Skyers sing during the 12 Days of Christmas.

Stars on Red Carpet
31st CSH holds special Holiday Gala

SPC. BROOKS FLETCHER
31st ADA Brigade Public Affairs Office

As 2007 kicks off, one unit here continues to prepare for an upcoming deployment through numerous training and certifications, but not before they made the most of there remaining time here.

The 31st Combat Support Hospital closed 2006 with an academy award ball, Army-style.
The ‘Rightfully Proud’ CSH held its Holiday Gala Dec. 14 at the Centennial Club on Biggs Army Airfield.

In what served as an atmosphere for the unit to get together for a night of fun and relaxation, also allowed the unit to recognize individual Soldiers in the CSH for contributions to the unit.

As a parody-style tribute to the Oscar and Golden Globe Awards, around 100 Soldiers from the hospital unit were nominated for categories ranging from most likely to retire with over 30 years of service to most likely to leave the Army in search of Hollywood stardom.

With more than 200 servicemembers and guest in attendance, a red carpet was rolled out as attendees entered the venue.

The event’s masters of ceremony, Maj. Marie Geslak and Sgt 1st Class Donald St. Ann, welcomed all, as the servicemembers and guests socialized prior to the start of the night.

“We have a lot of fun and entertaining things lined up for tonight, and we hope you enjoy your evening,” said Geslak. “After all, this time next year [around] 90 percent of us will be far away from El Paso, our friends, and our family, so let’s make the most of tonight.”

Opening the gala was the singing of the National Anthem by Pfc. Jessica Randall and prayer by chaplain’s assistant, Sgt. John Williams.

Succeeding the prayer, servicemembers and guests charged their glass in preparation to toasts to the commander in chief of the armed forces, the United States, the Army medical department, the 31st CSH, to faithfully supporters, and to those who cannot be here physically, though they are present in our thoughts.

Following the series of toasts, one of several door prizes, themed movie baskets, were given out. Door prizes were given out throughout the night’s event.

The club’s staff served dinner following the toasts.

After dinner, the awards presentation began. Earlier in the month, nominations were taken on the various categories and the winners were chosen from those nominations.

The first award acknowledged the best comedic performance, which went to St. Ann.

During the night’s award program attendees had the opportunity to see some of the unit’s talented performers, then vote for the winner at the end of the night. The first performer was Pfc. Romelia Lattimore, who sung Silent Night acapela.

The next award was for most likely to retire with over 30 years of service, which went to Sgt. Lakeyshia Ayers.

The next performer of the night was Spc. Ryan Van Norman, who performed a song he wrote, entitled Gone Tomorrow.

The next two awards, most likely to go to officer candidate school, and most likely to leave the Army in search of Hollywood stardom, went to Spc. Angee Rogers and Spc. Marcus Mahoney respectively.
Following, was the singing of the 12 Day of Christmas, which gave everyone a chance to show their musical talent, as each dining table was responsible for singing a part of the song.

The last performer of the night was Randall, who sung Strawberry Wine in acapela.

The next award presentation for best male and female dramatic performance went to Pvt. Brandonn Odom and 1st Sgt. Judith Jones.

The night came to an end as the last two presentations of awards were handed out.

Throughout the night, a secret panel of judges observed attendees looking for the best dressed male and female. The awards went to Staff Sgt. Chantley Wilson and Pfc. Sarah Ridgley.

The last presentation of the night was to the winner of the night’s best performer, which although won by Van Norman, shared his award with both, Lattimore and Randall.

As the event came to a close, the gala recognized all members who put the event together.

Col. Robert Nang, commander, 31st CSH, mentioned that although the idea of the Hollywood themed ball seemed far-fetched and far-reaching, it was a success.

“It turned out better than my wildest dreams,” said Nang. “I had a phenomenal time.”



www.bliss.army.mil	Published for the Fort Bliss/El Paso, Texas Community	Jan. 4, 2007

	Spc.Brooks Fletcher The head table, Cols. John Modell and Roberto Nang, and Command Sgt. Maj. Garfield Skyers sing during the 12 Days of Christmas. Stars on Red Carpet 31st CSH holds special Holiday Gala SPC. BROOKS FLETCHER 31st ADA Brigade Public Affairs Office As 2007 kicks off, one unit here continues to prepare for an upcoming deployment through numerous training and certifications, but not before they made the most of there remaining time here. The 31st Combat Support Hospital closed 2006 with an academy award ball, Army-style. The ‘Rightfully Proud’ CSH held its Holiday Gala Dec. 14 at the Centennial Club on Biggs Army Airfield. In what served as an atmosphere for the unit to get together for a night of fun and relaxation, also allowed the unit to recognize individual Soldiers in the CSH for contributions to the unit. As a parody-style tribute to the Oscar and Golden Globe Awards, around 100 Soldiers from the hospital unit were nominated for categories ranging from most likely to retire with over 30 years of service to most likely to leave the Army in search of Hollywood stardom. With more than 200 servicemembers and guest in attendance, a red carpet was rolled out as attendees entered the venue. The event’s masters of ceremony, Maj. Marie Geslak and Sgt 1st Class Donald St. Ann, welcomed all, as the servicemembers and guests socialized prior to the start of the night. “We have a lot of fun and entertaining things lined up for tonight, and we hope you enjoy your evening,” said Geslak. “After all, this time next year [around] 90 percent of us will be far away from El Paso, our friends, and our family, so let’s make the most of tonight.” Opening the gala was the singing of the National Anthem by Pfc. Jessica Randall and prayer by chaplain’s assistant, Sgt. John Williams. Succeeding the prayer, servicemembers and guests charged their glass in preparation to toasts to the commander in chief of the armed forces, the United States, the Army medical department, the 31st CSH, to faithfully supporters, and to those who cannot be here physically, though they are present in our thoughts. Following the series of toasts, one of several door prizes, themed movie baskets, were given out. Door prizes were given out throughout the night’s event. The club’s staff served dinner following the toasts. After dinner, the awards presentation began. Earlier in the month, nominations were taken on the various categories and the winners were chosen from those nominations. The first award acknowledged the best comedic performance, which went to St. Ann. During the night’s award program attendees had the opportunity to see some of the unit’s talented performers, then vote for the winner at the end of the night. The first performer was Pfc. Romelia Lattimore, who sung Silent Night acapela. The next award was for most likely to retire with over 30 years of service, which went to Sgt. Lakeyshia Ayers. The next performer of the night was Spc. Ryan Van Norman, who performed a song he wrote, entitled Gone Tomorrow. The next two awards, most likely to go to officer candidate school, and most likely to leave the Army in search of Hollywood stardom, went to Spc. Angee Rogers and Spc. Marcus Mahoney respectively. Following, was the singing of the 12 Day of Christmas, which gave everyone a chance to show their musical talent, as each dining table was responsible for singing a part of the song. The last performer of the night was Randall, who sung Strawberry Wine in acapela. The next award presentation for best male and female dramatic performance went to Pvt. Brandonn Odom and 1st Sgt. Judith Jones. The night came to an end as the last two presentations of awards were handed out. Throughout the night, a secret panel of judges observed attendees looking for the best dressed male and female. The awards went to Staff Sgt. Chantley Wilson and Pfc. Sarah Ridgley. The last presentation of the night was to the winner of the night’s best performer, which although won by Van Norman, shared his award with both, Lattimore and Randall. As the event came to a close, the gala recognized all members who put the event together. Col. Robert Nang, commander, 31st CSH, mentioned that although the idea of the Hollywood themed ball seemed far-fetched and far-reaching, it was a success. “It turned out better than my wildest dreams,” said Nang. “I had a phenomenal time.”