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Soldiers Across MND-S Celebrated July 4th
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CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE BASRA, Iraq – While people in the states celebrate Independence Day with fireworks and barbeques, units here let loose with games, food, and one unit even had fireworks.
Multi-National Division – South celebrated the 4th of July with sport competitions, a water balloon toss, horseshoes and a fireworks display.
Fourth of July weekend began with runs throughout MND-S. More than 200 people took part in the 5K on Contingency Operating Base Basra and hundreds of Camp Adder Soldiers participated in the 10K Peachtree Road Race.
“(The run) went well,” said Sgt. Maj. James Bartkey, one of the COB Basra run coordinators from Stillwater, Minn. “It was a good day for it and everyone who ran in it had a great time.”
The weekend continued on COB Basra and Forward Operating Base Delta with sports. At Basra volleyball, softball and soccer were played throughout the day. Delta Soldiers were able to compete in softball, soccer and horseshoes.
During lunch at Basra, Soldiers could participate in a pie-in-the-face fundraiser for unit family readiness groups or the Army Emergency Relief Fund. During the fundraiser, Soldiers were given the opportunity to pie company commanders, first sergeants and sergeants major as well as members of the command group.
“I thought (the pie-in-the-face) was awesome,” said Staff Sgt. Jacqueline Cornwell, personnel noncommissioned officer-in-charge, Headquarters Support Company, 34th Infantry Division and a native of Fountain, Minn. “I really appreciate that the command group and commanders and first sergeants got out there. I’m really glad the money is going to the family readiness groups.”
Soldiers at COB Adder received an unexpected treat for their fourth of July night – fireworks. A drive-in style video of a fireworks display was projected onto a pair of concrete barriers to give Soldiers a little taste of home.
Basra concluded their day with a parade of Soldier-created floats. The theme of the floats for Independence Day was red, white and blue. Soldiers were judged on creativity and their use of theme colors.
“It was fantastic,” said Staff Sgt. Christopher Norton, division ammunition noncommissioned officer, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 34th Red Bull Infantry Division, and Ogilvie, Minn. Native. “It was pretty cool to have everyone together having fun.”