1st Air Cav`s 2-227 `Lobos` host cancer awareness run

B4
LEISURE
November 7, 2013
Michael DeHart, a local cancer survivor and motivational speaker,
offers words of encouragement during a cancer awareness run
held by the 2-227th Avn. Regt., 1st ACB, 1st Cav. Div. Oct. 25 at
Hood Army Airfield.
www.FortHoodSentinel.com
Photos by Sgt. Christopher Calvert, 1st ACB, 1st Cav. Div., Public Affairs
First-place winners from several categories pose with trophies after a cancer awareness run held by the 2-227th Avn. Regt., 1st ACB, 1st
Cav. Div. Oct. 25 at Hood Army Airfield. About 500 Soldiers, Family members and friends dressed in pink and yellow during the 5K walk/
run or 10K run to show their support for cancer victims and survivors.
1st Air Cav’s 2-227 ‘Lobos’ host cancer awareness run
BY SGT. CHRISTOPHER CALVERT
1st ACB, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs
Half of all men and one-third of
all women in the U.S. will develop cancer during their lifetime,
according to the American Cancer
Society.
About 1,660,290 new cancer cases
are expected to be diagnosed in 2013,
and about 580,350 Americans are
projected to die of cancer – almost
1,600 people a day.
In efforts to combat this, the
“Lobos” of the 2nd General Support
Aviation Battalion, 227th Aviation
Regiment, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade,
1st Cavalry Division held a cancer
awareness run Oct. 25 at Hood Army
Airfield.
About 500 Soldiers, Family members and friends dressed in pink
and yellow during the 5K walk/
run or 10K run to show their support for cancer victims and survivors, including Staff Sgt. Michael
Collins, a unit supply specialist with
Company D, 2-227 Avn. Regt.
“Today, we conducted this run to
increase cancer awareness and show
support for patients, Families, victims and survivors,” said Lt. Col.
Jason Blevins, 2-227th commander. “The turnout was phenomenal.
It’s very important to show support with events like this, and we
want Staff Sgt. Collins to know we
look forward to him returning to
duty.”
During the event, ACS passed out
educational flyers and preventative
care pamphlets, and Michael DeHart,
a local cancer survivor and motivational speaker, offered words of
encouragement for those affected by
the disease.
Cancer remains the second-most
common cause of death in the US,
accounting for nearly one of every
four deaths. For most types of cancer,
the sooner it is found and treated, the
better the chances are for living for
many years, according to the ACS.
“The threat is real,” said 1st Lt.
Joshua Newberry, battalion communications officer with Headquarters
and Headquarters Company, 2-227th
Avn. Regt. “I had an aunt who passed
away in 2001 after six weeks of being
diagnosed with cancer. Being young,
Participants clap in unison during a cancer awareness run held by the 2-227th
Avn. Regt., 1st ACB, 1st Cav. Div. Oct. 25 at Hood Army Airfield.
you don’t realize cancer can take a
person so quickly. I’ve been more
aware ever since.”
The risk of developing most types
of cancer can be reduced by changes in a person’s lifestyle, including
avoiding tobacco, limiting time in the
sun, being physically active, maintaining a healthy weight, limiting
alcohol and eating healthy, according
Command Sgt. Maj. Anthony Smoots, command sergeant major for 2-227th Avn. Regt., 1st ACB, 1st Cav. Div., points at
his pink shirt showcasing his support for cancer victim Staff Sgt. Michael Collins, a unit supply specialist with Company D,
2-227th Avn. Regt. during a cancer awareness run Oct. 25 at Hood Army Airfield.
to the ACS.
Despite this, more than 13 million
people living in the United States
have had some type of cancer. Some
of these people are now cancer-free,
while others still have it. However,
getting screened is still paramount in
winning the battle.
After the cancer awareness run was
completed, trophies were handed out
for first place in several categories,
and Soldiers came together to clap
in unison for those affected by cancer as words of encouragement were
spoken.
“The support we received was outstanding and overwhelming from
all units and Family members,”
said Command Sgt. Maj. Anthony
Smoots, command sergeant major
for the 2-227th Avn. Regt. “Unity,
teamwork and family, that’s what it’s
all about. We honored our own Staff
Sgt. Collins, and we look forward
to him coming back to lead the battalion in a run.”
Courtesy graphic
‘Ironhorse’ BCT comes
together for fall festival
BY PFC. PAIGE PENDLETON
1st BCT, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs
Soldiers and Families of the 1st
“Ironhorse” Brigade Combat Team,
1st Cavalry Division celebrated Halloween in style during the Ironhorse
Fall Festival and Trunk or Treat at
Fort Hood, Oct. 26.
Each battalion spruced up vehicles with Halloween-inspired decorations for the Trunk or Treat
and provided volunteers who ran a
variety of carnival games for all age
groups.
With Halloween-themed music
playing, kids in costumes searched
far and wide for 1st Cavalry Division patches marking clues for the
scavenger hunt.
The attraction garnering the most
attention was the Ironhorse scare
house.
“There’s been a line outside the
door all day,” said Sgt. 1st Class
Kristopher Willey, Ironhorse Fall
Festival and Trunk or Treat assistant coordinator from Headquarters and Headquarters “Hammer”
Troop. “That has been the biggest
hit.”
Spc. Meschelle Munro, Company
C “Castaways,” 115th “Muleskinners” Brigade Support Battalion
of the Ironhorse Brigade, said she
enjoyed meeting Families while
handing out candy from a vehicle
decorated like a pirate ship. Parents
and kids had a good time, Munro
added.
“They were dressed up. We were
dressed up,” Munro said, “and I
think, as a unit … (it’s) good for us
to come together.”
Photo by Pfc. Paige Pendleton, 1st BCT, 1st Cav. Div., Public Affairs
A 1st “Ironhorse” Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cav. Div. child plays a balloon pop carnival game at the Ironhorse Fall Festival
and Trunk or Treat Oct. 26 at Fort Hood. The array of games included lawn darts, bean bag toss, ladder-ball, a scavenger
hunt and more.