Adopted soldiers thanked in ‘grand’ way

FORT MITCHELL, Ky. - Tall soldiers, suited up in camouflage pants and jackets with the block letters: U.S. ARMY boldly stitched on their chest, leaned down to the small children on the sidewalk to give them high-fives. They shake the hands of the men and women who clapped enthusiastically, yelling “Thank you!” from across the street. It’s Independence Day and Fort Mitchell’s adopted military unit has come home.

The unit is Bravo Company 2-504 PIR of the 82nd Airborne, out of Ft. Bragg in North Carolina—better known to Fort Mitchell as the “White Devils.” And they know what The Fourth is all about.

"It's celebrating our freedom as a country and that's what we do every day is try and train up, make sure that the freedom is defended and we will always be free,” said Sgt. Matthew Timothy Fausset.

And this Fourth of July, the unit was the Grand Marshals for Fort Mitchell’s parade.

"We feel like this is the least we could do, you know, to give back to the city," said Capt. Steve Kim, who said the care packages boost the morale in his unit and he is ever-grateful.

They were in town to show their gratitude for the care packages and letters received while in Iraq, but gratitude is what they received.

Folks lined the streets, beaming with pride, waving flags, to thank them. It’s their unit.

“We love them to death,” said Nancy Taylor, retired Beechwood teacher and organizer of the Adopt-a-Unit in Fort Mitchell.

The daughter of a World War II veteran herself, Taylor said it’s their honor and privilege to be able to help the soldiers.

This is the only year that she can remember when they’ve had their soldiers in town for the holiday. And they were thrilled.

The city adopted the White Devils back in 2004 when Taylor, enlisted the students’ help to adopt a military unit. The school threw a large rally, she said, in which the school agreed to support the City of Fort Mitchell in helping with the unit adoption through a national program called America Supporting Americans—which pairs communities throughout the United States with military units.

“It’s just one city taking care of one unit. And with the help of schools and the community, it’s very little effort involved and it’s such a blessing to the people involved. I think we get more out of it than the men do.”

Once then-Mayor Tom Holocher signed the adoption in the city charter in 2004, the city became responsible for that unit. Therefore, when the soldiers are deployed, the residents of Fort Mitchell send supplies overseas—including care packages, cards and letters. “Letting them know that they are not forgotten and that they have a community that considers them part of their family,” said Taylor.

Students like Claire Joswick, have taken in items like playing cards, toothbrushes, toothpaste and socks, to school for the soldiers. The school communicates via email with the unit to find out what they need while in Afghanistan. In turn, soldiers share photos of what it’s like there, like the terrain, to the students.

Joswick, a 13-year-old Beechwood student, has been sending care packages since she was in the third grade, when she was in Taylor’s class.

"Where they're at, it's a hard place to be and with all that stuff it reminds them that there are people here that love them and that support them," said Joswick, who said she enjoys catching up with the soldiers via Facebook.

The community’s support and pride was evident to the soldiers throughout the weekend.

"Honestly made us feel like rock stars. We're signing posters and T-shirts and stuff. It's just amazing being here and being around all these people who care so much about us," said Fausset.

The soldiers spent their weekend in Northern Kentucky getting the royal treatment by the city that has continued their support for seven years.

On Saturday, unit members visited local businesses and then were treated to a private cookout hosted by a resident. The public joined the visiting troops at Hofbrauhaus in Newport. On Sunday, the soldiers ate brunch at Greyhound Grill then headed over to Beechwood Swim Club and ended their day with a picnic at Gen. Ormsby Mitchell Park.

After Monday’s parade the troop was taken to lunch and then treated to a dinner at a resident’s home. It’s the least that the City of Fort Thomas can do for the men who fight for our freedom, said Taylor and co-organizer Tiffanny Smith.

“No matter how you feel about it [the war] these guys are important and what they do is important,” said Smith.

The soldiers have come several times for visits since they were adopted. They’ve gone to Beechwood football games, parades, and local run/walks.

If you are interested in what it takes for your city to adopt a military unit, email FortMitchellBravo@gmail.com or visit http://www.asa-usa.org/.