I apologize for the delay in getting this posted, but I wanted to consolidate as many of the pics that were taken by different soldiers as I could.



The BBQ was held last sunday here at Fort Bliss, TX for 37 soldiers that are headed to Iraq very shortly, including the son of one of our own AR members. This was their first day off in over 6 weeks of intense training and their first alcholic beverage in the same amount of time. So needless to say, the boys were ready to wind down a bit.



The soldiers who are here preparing for deployment (about 7000 total now and mostly National Guard) are living in pretty rough conditions. They live in "circus tents" that hold around 350 soldiers per tent and sleeping in bunk beds. It is all just one huge open area. They have no privacy at all and very little time to them selves. (Can you imagine trying to sleep with over a hundred people snoring in the same room) The lines to the few pay phones they have access to are very long. And I can personaly attest to the fact the the food is terrible. I would rather eat a MRE than what they are fed in their chow hall. There is never hot water for the showers or sinks unless you are one of the lucky ones to be first in line. They are up before 0500 and train until after dark each day. They may get to go to the PX once a week for an hour or so if they are lucky. They arent allowed off base and they just had the the no alchohol restriction lifted. Luckily their leadership is starting to loosen up a bit, but they still have it pretty rough. They do have access to email, but the lines can be a couple hours long and they are only allowed 20 minute sessions. The situation is pretty much the same for all the National Guard soldiers who are prepping to deploy from the different bases around the country.



Thanks to you some very kind and generous AR members we were able to make life a little easier for one day at least for some of them.







The weather started out very cool but turned very warm in the early afternoon. Around 3pm a pretty good cloudburst moved everyone under cover but the rain didnt slow down the good times. (thats me in the Mossy Oak, they didnt want to the break the camera so they used my best side)





We had a total of 73 pounds of assorted meats including chicken quarters, polish sausage, Bratwurst, pork chops, beef & pork ribs and several different cuts of steaks. And only a few pounds of ribs were all that was left!!!! (Everyone thought the guy on the grill was a master chef, thank you very much!!!) And of course there was all the usual fixings to go along with the spread. There was even a full venison tenderloin for the snacking prior to the main course that was marinated in my own special rub and grilled to a nice medium rare along with some deer sausage and cheeses. (the venison was shot and provided by another AR member) For dessert there were brownies, cookies, German chocolate cake, and more. The boys were not hurting for quantity or variety. As far as beverages, well lets just say there was a good amount of just about anything you could want in sufficient quantities to cause some serious damage.



I fired up the grill around 1000 and the first of the boys started arriving around 1100. The soldiers ate, drank beer, played volley ball, drank more beer, ate more food, drank even more beer, talked, ate even more, and just relaxed right up until closing time at the park at 1900. It would have lasted longer, except for the fact the they were heading out to artillery ranges the next morning. I am sure that the arty exploding brought back some all to fresh memories to more than a few who hit it pretty hard in the keg area.







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As you can see, a soldier never leaves the beer or a fallen buddy behind.

















Now the next couple photos were one of the days highlights. A couple NCO's had just spent the last 3 weeks in sunny Hawaii chasing skirts and partying on the beach every evening. They were actually over there for an Artillery Forward Observer class, but they made the best of such a difficult assignment. It just happened that they returned in the middle of the BBQ. Before they were allowed to partake of any of the food or drink they had to give 100 PROPER push-ups. (all in one session, no breaks allowed)They did manage to knock them out and were rewarded with a cold drink and hot steak.















Everyone had a great time. The BBQ was a much needed break for these guys. It accomplished more in the way of team building than any 6 months of training could accomplish. They were all amazed that there were people out there that cared enough about them as soldiers to sponsor this for them. They were all very touched and everyone asked me to convey their deepest thanks. The BBQ meant more to them than mere words can convey.



A toast to the sponsors of the event. (And yes Judge, the Marines were gladly included in the toast)







Here is a group shot of the boys









Thanks to all of you who so generously contributed to this. It turned into an event that they wont soon forget.

Now that both makes me smile and warms my heart.



I am humbled by and greatly honor a nation that produces such men.

I hope I dont embarrass Saeed too bad but this wouldnt have been possible without his help. Both with his very generous donation and also by allowing this to be posted on AR.

Special thanks also goes to JudgeG for starting the ball rolling on this forum by challenging other AR members to kick in also.

Thanks again to all of you who contributed, it wouldnt have been possible without all of your help.

I also want to say thanks to all the additional offers that have came in to host another BBQ for the soldiers. I feel terrible that I have to decline them. I am in the process of leaving Fort Bliss and heading to Fort Huachuca, AZ to learn to fly Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. (But not before I take a couple weeks leave and go elk hunting back home in Idaho) This week is my last week on Ft. Bliss. Thanks for giving me the chance to be a part of such a fun and rewarding event.

Sergeant:



Well done, young man! You make me proud that the U.S. has soldiers like you. It sure looks like the fellows had a LARGE time!



Thanks to you, too, Saeed. It wouldn't have been on such a fine scale without you. You and the Sarge are good men with whom I'd share a campfire anytime!