Home Stretch
Grafenwoehr, Germany –Troopers from Fires Squadron 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment double time it across the finish line of the 11-kilometer ruck march (U.S. Army photos by Spc. Jerry Wilson, 2SCR/Public Affairs)
2d Stryker Cavalry Regiment
Public Affairs Office Vilseck, Germany
PHONE: DSN: 476-5017 COMMERCIAL (49) 09662-83-5017
E-mail: 2scrwebmaster@eur.army.mil Website: www.2SCR.army.mil
VILSECK, Germany (March, 26, 2009) – The Spur Ride has long been a time-honored tradition amongst U.S. Army Cavalry Soldiers. Cavalry troops were often put through a series of grueling tasks for several days to earn the right to wear the coveted silver spurs. Recently Fires Squadron of the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment added a special twist to their spur ride. In addition to the normal military tasks faced by an artillery unit, the squadron gave back to the Grafewoehr community by taking part in a community service cleanup project. Participant’s in the event grabbed shovel and sand bags and headed to the river bank near St. Barbara’s hut near the community of Netzaberg.
“We began with 62 participants conducting an 11-kilometer ruck march from the St. Barbara’s Monastery in Barbaraberg and ending here in Netzaberg at the St. Barbara’s Memorial Monument,” said spur ride coordinator Capt. Mark Lichak.
Lichak commented that the starting and ending points of the march were chosen for their relationship to St. Barbara, who is the patron saint of artillery Soldiers.
For the new Fires Squadron commander Lt. Col. Steve Bergosh participating in the day’s events was his first taste of an old Cavalry tradition.
“I think this is great for motivation,” Bergosh said. “Units across the Army have similar team building events, each building toward the culture and tradition of the unit.” Bergosh was among the new commanders who assumed command within the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment in January 2009.
Other participants, like Fires Squadron Command Sgt. Maj. Tony Diamond, who have been with the Regiment since Ft. Lewis saw the event as a great opportunity to pass on a piece of history.
“This is all about team building and it’s great for unit cohesion,” Diamond said. “A lot of our Soldiers are young and this is their first Cav experience.”
“What we are trying to do is embed that basic root of tradition, he said.”
Following the ruck march participants headed down to the stream behing St. Barbara’s Hut and spent the rest of the day filling sand bags and reinforcing the banks of a nearby stream.
Ready to work
Grafenwoehr, Germany –Ruck sacks line the road near Netzaberg asd Soldiers from 2SCR Fires Squadron prepare to reinforce the banks of a stream near St. Barbara’s Hut as part of a Spur Ride community service project.
Taking Aim
Grafenwoehr, Germany –Sgt. 1st Class. Sean O’Brien tosses away a boulder to improve the water flow in a stream as part of the Fires Squadron Spur Ride community service project.
To the rescue
Grafenwoehr, Germany –Staff Sgt. Chris Mouk, (left) rescues Staff. Sgt. Gary White from a mud hole as the two take part in the Fires Squadron Spur Ride community service project. White was mired up to his knees while removing debris from the stream.
