Soldier celebrate Independence Day at FOB Falcon

1st BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div., MND-B

FORWARD OPERATING BASE FALCON, Iraq - Multi-National Division - Baghdad Soldiers participated in numerous events July 4 at Forward Operating Base Falcon, in the Rashid district of southern Baghdad to celebrate Independence Day while stationed halfway around the world.

Soldiers from the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, MND-B, started early in the morning with a 5-K Yankee Doodle Fun Run and throughout the day participated in competitive events.

Staff Sgt. Loyra Folmar, who hails from Houston, placed first in the women's category with a time of 23 minutes, 47 seconds. Folmar is assigned to Forward Support Company E, 4th Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, attached to the 1st BCT, 4th Inf. Div., MND-B. Capt. Dominick Curalli, assigned to Company C, 4th Support Battalion, 1st BCT, 4th Inf. Div., MND-B, claimed first place out of 37 male competitors with a time of 19 minutes, 51 seconds.

Soldiers from the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division - Baghdad, chow down during a hot dog eating contest July 4 at Forward Operating Base Falcon in the Rashid district of southern Baghdad.(U.S. Army photo by Maj. Dave Olson, 1st BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div., MND-B)

"It felt good," Curalli said, moments after finishing the race. "I ran faster at the last 5-K run, but because some people didn't enter the race this time I was able to finish first."

Curalli, who hails from Spokane, Wash., works as a dentist at the 1st BCT, "Raider" Brigade's Cobra Clinic, at the main troop medical clinic on the FOB.

Spc. Alyssa Lefever, a human resource specialist assigned to the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Special Troops Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division - Baghdad, sings karaoke July 4 during the Forward Operating Base Falcon rendition of the popular television show, American Idol. Independence Day at FOB Falcon was full of activities for Soldiers, such as a horseshoe tournament, hot dog eating contest, and 5-K Fun Run.(U.S. Army photo by Spc. David Hodge, 1st BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div., MND-B)

Other events included a horseshoe tournament, hot dog eating contest, and a military version of the popular television show, American Idol.

"The turnout for the events was great; everyone has had a great time," said Phyllis Ward, the FOB Falcon Morale, Welfare and Recreation program manager.

Sgt. Christopher Trejo, a Bradley Fighting Vehicle systems maintainer from San Antonio, pitches a horseshoe during a tournament at Forward Operating Base Falcon in the Rashid district of southern Baghdad July 4. Trejo is assigned to Forward Support Company E, 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division - Baghdad. Soldiers from the 1st BCT, "Raider" Brigade participated in events throughout the day in observation of Independence Day.(U.S. Army photo by Spc. David Hodge, 1st BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div., MND-B)

"Today is about making the Soldiers happy, so they can have one day to just get away from the stresses of Iraq."

After the hot dog eating contest, the top six eaters received a prize courtesy of the FOB Falcon Exchange New Car Sales. More than $500 in prizes was given away including an iPod MP3 player, a Playstation 2 video game console, DVD players, and two pairs of handheld multi-tools.

Staff Sgt. Loyra Folmar, who hails from Houston, awaits the start of the Falcon 5-K Fun Run July 4 at Forward Operating Base Falcon in the Rashid district of southern Baghdad. Folmar, assigned to Forward Support Company E, 4th Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, attached to the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division - Baghdad, finished first in the women's category with a time 23 minutes, 47 seconds.(U.S. Army photo by Spc. David Hodge, 1st BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div., MND-B)

These events are a great morale booster for the Soldiers," said Staff Sgt. Corinne Peterson, an automated logistics specialist from Los Angeles, assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Support Battalion, 1st BCT, 4th Inf. Div., MND-B. "It brings some of home to Iraq."

The top three runners in the Forward Operating Base Falcon 5-K Fun Run are; 1st Place, Capt. Dominick Curalli (Left); 3rd Place, Maj. Dave Olson; 2nd Place, U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Cordell Thornton. Approximately 48 men and women from the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division - Baghdad, entered the run July 4.(U.S. Army photo by Spc. David Hodge, 1st BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div., MND-B)

Ward, who hails from Norman, Okla., said she always carries a smile because helping Soldiers makes her think of a song from the movie Dirty Dancing, "I've had the time of my life."

"Working with the military here in Iraq… I am actually having the time of my life," explained Ward.

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