204th MI supports military dependents

 

Spc. Jonathan W. Thomas

16th MPAD

Soldiers from the 204th Military Intelligence Battalion competed in a golf tournament to raise money for the Army Aviation Association of America scholarship program at the Painted Dunes Desert Golf Course, Nov. 5.

The 204th MI Soldiers competed in four-men teams and raised more than $600 for the AAAA scholarship benefiting military dependents seeking to further their education.

Jeffrey Bartel, Jose Deharo, Ruben Gomez-Leon and 204th MI Soldiers pulled their team together, winning the tournament.

“It’s been an interesting game, there’s a lot of different levels of compaction this year,” said Deharo, medical noncommissioned officer in charge of the 204th MI flight surgeons office.

The battalion’s commander said the event’s main focus was to build camaraderie and do something good for Soldiers and their families.

“I think everybody understands we’re really out here for a good cause, it’s not about the prizes it’s about giving back,” said Todd Brucker, 204th MI commander and AAAA Rio Grande Chapter president.

The AAAA scholarship gives Soldiers and their families the ability to attend college and the opportunity to enrich their lives.

“Two family members benefited from the tournament last year,” said Bill Webb. Webb is a 204th MI standardization instructor pilot and the AAAA Rio Grande Chapter’s senior vice president.

“Our kids are going to be our future and this fundraiser will help someone who needs it, now more than ever,” said Deharo.

“Whoever receives this might go on to become a chemical engineer or work for NASA.”

Brucker said family members of 204th MI Soldiers sacrifice a great deal every day to support the battalion.

“I think it’s a great opportunity for all of us to come together and not just for the camaraderie, but to give something back to our families because quite frankly they do a lot,” said Brucker.