Greywolf Brigade takes time to celebrate Independence Day in Iraq

By Pfc. Sharla Perrin

4th of July without fireworks?

Troops with G Forward Support Company, 2nd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team "Greywolf," 1st Cavalry Division enjoy a barbeque at their company headquarters on Forward Operating Base Diamondback in Mosul, Iraq. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Sharla Perrin, 3rd Heavy Bde. Combat Team, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs)

3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs

Multi-National Division - North PAO

MOSUL, Iraq - Far from home, without family reunions and fireworks to celebrate the birthday of their nation's independence, troops with 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team "Greywolf," 1st Cavalry Division found other ways to enjoy the 4th of July. Full bellies, fun games and festive decorations sprawled to all corners of Forward Operating Bases Marez and Diamondback in Mosul, Iraq this weekend.

Spc. Estevan Azocar, a medic with C Medical Company, 215th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team "Greywolf," 1st Cavalry Division struggles to procure a whistle through a mouthful of saltine crackers for Maj. Kohji Kure of Honolulu, Hawaii, the battalion's physician's assistant, during a relay race at a barbeque on Forward Operating Base Marez in Mosul, Iraq. 1st Sgt. Zachary Harmon operates the stop watch for the race. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Sharla Perrin, 3rd Heavy Bde. Combat Team, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs)

2nd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment held barbeques at their battery and company headquarter areas on FOB Diamondback July 3. Ribs, hamburgers, hot dogs and steaks provided by the battalion's forward support company, F Co., topped the plates of Batteries A and B and A Co., 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, an attached infantry company from Tal Al Far.

Soldiers with 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team "Greywolf," 1st Cavalry Division enjoy a game of spades as part of their battalion organizational day. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Sharla Perrin, 3rd Heavy Bde. Combat Team, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs)

3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment held an organizational day Saturday complete with table games, sports and a barbeque and finishing with a game of tug-of-war. With activities spread across an eighth of a square mile, Soldiers enjoyed cold drinks in the shade of awnings and trees as a refuge from the 107-degree heat.

"Today was tug-of-war, and we destroyed it," said Pfc. Allen Laprairie, whose company, A Co., won the competition. "It's good to take a break every now and then, it boosts morale and whatnot."

Soldiers shared stories of Independence Day celebrations held before their deployment and talked of what family members were doing this year.

Soldiers with 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team "Greywolf," 1st Cavalry Division provide motivation for their comrades who participate in a game of tug-of-war on Forward Operating Base Marez in Mosul, Iraq. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Sharla Perrin, 3rd Heavy Bde. Combat Team, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs)

"My wife is planning to get together with some friends from school," said Capt. Patrick Stallings, the battalion's supply officer. "They're going to a movie and to a barbeque as well."

That evening, C Medical Co., 215th Brigade Support Battalion held a barbeque and played games at the troop medical clinic on FOB Marez. Among other activities, the close-knit company of medics and physicians participated in relay races and a laughter-filled game of "The Human Knot," spending more than 30 minutes untangling a squirming mass of arms and legs.

Soldiers with C Medical Company, 215th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team "Greywolf," 1st Cavalry Division smile for the camera at their company barbeque on Forward Operating Base Marez in Mosul, Iraq. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Sharla Perrin, 3rd Heavy Bde. Combat Team, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs)

The brigade's fires, effects and coordination cell held a barbeque outside their building near the tactical operations center on FOB Marez. Troops that attended admitted that the barbeque was a refreshing relief from the daily grind.

"I really enjoyed the barbeque. It was a great opportunity to celebrate the 4th of July, even though we didn't have our families with us," said Pfc. Jeremy Wilkinson of Stevens Point, Wis., a fire support specialist with Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, Brigade Special Troops Battalion.

Soldiers with B Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team "Greywolf," 1st Cavalry Division display awards won in various activities on Forward Operating Base Marez in Mosul, Iraq. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Sharla Perrin, 3rd Heavy Bde. Combat Team, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs)

"All of us here at HHT are pretty close, so it was the next best thing," he said.

Full trash bags thrown onto a flatbed truck and the logo on the back of the Army's physical training uniform gleaming in the setting sun marked the end of the day's festivities as troops cleaned up and returned to their housing units, refreshed and ready to tackle a new week.