Members of the Fort Leavenworth Sergeants Major Association donated food and grilled it for the veterans of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Leavenworth Aug.14.
The annual event was organized this year by Sgt. Maj. Chris Vance of the Fort Leavenworth Medical Department Activity and Melissa Martinez, a recreation therapist at the VA domiciliary. This year, the veterans added a twist to the annual meeting by challenging the Sergeants Major Association to a softball game.
According to Martinez, the veterans look forward to the barbecue every year, and this year they wanted to add a softball game to the event. From the time the challenge was accepted by the Sergeants Major Association, the veterans went out every day and night, and practiced for several hours. Martinez said the veterans looked like pros and were ready to take on the sergeants major.
“It’s about the camaraderie between us and those that have served before us; and paved the way for us to be the force that we are today. We are out here to have fun and to really build camaraderie and connect with our veterans … you know our veterans truly are a national treasure,” said Combined Arms Center Command Sgt. Maj. Philip F. Johndrow during his pre-game pep talk.
The score was close for the entire game with each team battling back every inning. According to the umpire, the fans and the participants, the game ended in a tie.
The association regularly gives back to the VA, not only with the annual barbecue, but with visits on or around Veterans Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. The Sergeants Major Association also regularly supports the Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers program on Fort Leavenworth.
The Fort Leavenworth Sergeants Major Association is a local chapter comprised of retired and active-duty Army sergeants major. Currently there are 16 active Army members and 22 retirees in the local chapter.
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Members of the Fort Leavenworth Sergeants Major Association donated food and grilled it for the veterans of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Leavenworth Aug.14.
The annual event was organized this year by Sgt. Maj. Chris Vance of the Fort Leavenworth Medical Department Activity and Melissa Martinez, a recreation therapist at the VA domiciliary. This year, the veterans added a twist to the annual meeting by challenging the Sergeants Major Association to a softball game.
According to Martinez, the veterans look forward to the barbecue every year, and this year they wanted to add a softball game to the event. From the time the challenge was accepted by the Sergeants Major Association, the veterans went out every day and night, and practiced for several hours. Martinez said the veterans looked like pros and were ready to take on the sergeants major.
“It’s about the camaraderie between us and those that have served before us; and paved the way for us to be the force that we are today. We are out here to have fun and to really build camaraderie and connect with our veterans … you know our veterans truly are a national treasure,” said Combined Arms Center Command Sgt. Maj. Philip F. Johndrow during his pre-game pep talk.
The score was close for the entire game with each team battling back every inning. According to the umpire, the fans and the participants, the game ended in a tie.
The association regularly gives back to the VA, not only with the annual barbecue, but with visits on or around Veterans Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. The Sergeants Major Association also regularly supports the Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers program on Fort Leavenworth.
The Fort Leavenworth Sergeants Major Association is a local chapter comprised of retired and active-duty Army sergeants major. Currently there are 16 active Army members and 22 retirees in the local chapter.
