Serving the Soldiers, Civilians and Families of 2nd BCT, 4th Inf. Div.

Issue 13 May 20, 2010

2nd STB reaches out to their community

Story and photo by Spc. April York
2nd BCT 4th Inf. Div. PAO
Soldiers from Headquarters and
Headquarters Company, 2nd Special Troops
Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th
Infantry Division, reached out to their
community to help Habitat for Humanity
on May 7.
“We are here to let the community
know we are eager to help,” said Sgt.
Damien Bray, a chemical, biological,
radiological and nuclear specialist for
HHC.
Bray was in charge of 10 Soldiers
who came out to the Habitat for
Humanity site to help put up siding,
install a fence and sweep out the home.
Their day started at 7:30 in the
morning when they received a safety
brief from Tim Mcheter, an employee of
Habitat for Humanity.
“We push, push, push safety,” Mcheter said.
He described the safety brief as a crash
course in what the job is for the day and how
to properly use the power tools needed.
Habitat for Humanity uses all volunteer
labor to make the homes affordable to low
income families.
Mcheter emphasized, it’s not a free ride.
The homeowner also has to volunteer their
t i m e to the
Sgt. Eric Girasia, a military policeman for Headquar-
ters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Special Troops
Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Di-
vision, and Spc. Michael Sanchez, a wheeled vehicle
mechanic for HHC, 2nd STB, cut siding to install on a
Habitat for Humanity home May 7.
construction of the home.
Spc. Terrika Houston, who is also a
chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear
specialist for HHC, has not only volunteered
her time helping Habitat for Humanity as part
of HHC, but also as a volunteer back home in
Austin, Texas.
“It’s wonderful to know that people
will have a home and that I was actually
was part of that,” she said. “It’s great
that our command allows us this time
to come out into the community and
help out.”
Habitat for Humanity depends
strongly upon their volunteers.
“Military volunteers are especially
great,” Mcheter said. “They are so
safety conscious, which is an important
part of this job.”
Mcheter has been an employee of
Habitat for Humanity for more than 10 years.
In his experience Soldiers are great because
they have a lot more energy than other groups,
he said.
Soldiers from HHC enjoy helping out and
giving back to the community, Bray said.
“It allows us to build a relationship with the
public and strengthens their support of the
Army,” he added.

Commander’s Column two deployments to Afghanistan

Lt. Col. John Cook, commander
1st Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment
with his brigade. I am looking
forward to working with Delosa to
Battalion, 3rd Battalion 16
Field Artillery, and 204th
Brigade Support Battalion.
My wife, Jamie, and I would make 1st Squadron, 10th Cavalry Task Force Bison went to
like to introduce the newest Regiment and the Soldiers in it, JRTC in order to provide Host
additions to Fort Carson and the the best they can be. Nation Security Forces and
Warhorse Brigade. Command Task Force Bison recently Training Mentor Augmentee
Sergeant Major Ralph F. Delosa returned from an extremely support for 1st Brigade
and his wife Julie come to Fort successful training event at Combat Team, 4th Infantry
Carson from Fort Drum, N.Y. the Joint Readiness Training Division’s rotation at JRTC.
Delosa brings with him over Center (JRTC) in Fort Polk, Task Force Bison was praised
27 years of military experience as La. 1st Squadron., 10th Cavalry by the JRTC Commander of
a 19 series Soldier and leader. He Regiment, comprised the nucleus Operations Group (COG) and
recently served for two years as of Task Force Bison, which 1st BCT’s Commander for
the Command Sergeant Major of consisted of elements from 2nd their outstanding rotational
3rd Squadron, 71st Cavalry within Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, support. Individually, Soldiers
the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Battalion 67th Armor were able to obtain valuable
10th Mountain Division and has Regiment, 2nd Special Troops continued on page 2
page 2 Warhorse Pride Issue 13 May 20, 2010

Death Dealers embrace safety continued from page 1

lessons through their unique perspectives
as role-players and observers. These
Story and photo by Capt. Colin O’Toole “An accident can happen to any one of you,
lessons will be exceptionally valuable as
1st Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment anywhere around here” said Pierce. He talked
the Warhorse Brigade prepares for our
More than 40 motorcycle riders from 1st about recent accidents that left one Soldier
own time in the field.
Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment, 2nd Brigade a little bruised and another Soldier a living
Currently, 1st Sqdn., 10th Cav. Reg.,
Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, gathered testament to the importance of wearing all of
is preparing to execute platoon lanes
together to ride for the first time since returning your Personal Protective Equipment.
or ‘Bison Rampage’ over the next three
from their deployment. After Pierce was
weeks.
The event started off finished speaking to the
Soldiers are preparing vehicles,
with the riders coming crowd, Lt. Col. Michael
inventorying equipment and going over
together at a small parking Simmering, commander
platoon Standard Operating Procedures
lot to show off their bikes of 1st Bn., 67th Armor
as the squadron staff and troop leadership
and talk about what they Reg., spoke briefly
finalizes the last minute details of the
have done to personalize about the Motorcycle
operation.
their motorcycles. Mentorship Program.
Platoon lanes offer Soldiers an
The battalion He impressed upon
opportunity to hone their skills in
motorcycle mentor non- the Soldiers, NCOs
operations more typical of a High
commissioned officer Sgt. 1st Class Dwayne Darling from Comany and officers present,
Intensity Conflict than what most
in charge, Master Sgt. G, 1st Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment, 2nd the importance of the
Soldiers in 1st Sqdn., Cav. Reg., are
George Walker, had Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, program and why it is
accustomed to fighting in Iraq and
inspection forms so the leads the Dealth Dealer’s formation from critical to ‘get out and ride’
thier motor pool to Canon City on May 6. Afghanistan. Bison Rampage will also
Soldiers could work in as a group. Simmering, an
include challenging training events such
buddy teams to check each avid rider for many years,
as a patrol base defense and an air assault
others’ bikes. knows the importance of a good mentorship
mission.
The inspections covered TCLOCS; Tires, program and the experience that a group ride
We will return from the field for
Controls, Lights, Oil, Chassis, Stand. These are offers.
Memorial Day weekend and push back
the critical areas where a failure could result in After the remarks were complete, the riders
into the field when the weekend is over to
the injury or loss of a Soldier. lined up for the ride. The more experienced
complete Bison Rampage.
After the inspection was completed, riders positioned themselves at key locations
Once platoon lanes are complete,
Command Sgt. Major David Pierce, command in the formation to help keep the column safe.
1st Sqdn., 10th Cav. Reg., will conduct
sergeant major of 1st Bn, 67th Armor Reg., Then the bikes, a mixture of sport and
wheeled and tracked vehicle services
spoke to the riders about safety, camaraderie cruiser, headed out for a ride down the
and operations maintenance procedures
and mentorship. beautiful, winding Highway 115 to Canon City.
until the max leave period begins on
June 26. Continue to be safe throughout
1-10 Cav. conducts annual MORTEP the summer and enjoy all that beautiful
Colorado has to offer.
Story by 1st Lt. Geoffrey Guinnup training. The NCO’s of 1st Sqdn., 10th Cav. “Ready and Forward!”
1st Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment Reg., have done just that; however, one NCO,
Since May 4th, mortar sections across 1st Sgt. Derrick True has been asked to go above
Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade and beyond.
Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, have True started the MORTEP as a squad leader
been conducting their annual Mortar Training in the Bandit Troop Mortar Section. After
and Evaluation Program (MORTEP). the first day of training, it was apparent that
The purpose of conducting a MORTEP True’s leadership could be better utilized in
evaluation is to produce trained indirect fire one of the neighboring mortar sections. So as
infantrymen (11C) personnel who are proficient a dedicated professional, True agreed to move
in their mortar tasks at the individual, squad out of Bandit Troop and act as a squad leader in
and section level in mortar gunnery. Crazy Troop’s mortar section.
Each Soldier must validate their knowledge True assumed the addition responsibilities
in several different tasks that ultimately lead to that come along with taking over a new squad
a certified mortar section. without missing a beat. Since True’s arrival,
The culminating event of the MORTEP is a the Crazy Troop mortar section has performed
live fire mortar shoot that will consist of several at a much higher level. The flexibility and
different fire missions and will be conducted desire to help others that True has displayed
on the May 19 and 20. will continue to benefit not only the Crazy
Much like every other training exercise Troop mortar section in the future, but all
in the Army, a MORTEP relies heavily on mortar sections across the squadron. True is
the knowledge and leadership of the unit’s a living example of the squadron motto “Ready
noncommissioned officers in order to lead the and Forward”.
page 3
Roughriders work to build resilient families
Story by 1st Lt. Jessica Maxim
204th Brigade Support Battalion
The 204th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd
Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division,
held “Building Resilient Families”, part of the
Roughrider’s Family Strong Program at the
McMahon Theater on May 12.
The program is designed to build and
promote resilient families to be prepared for
a future deployment. It focuses on the Lines
of Effort (LOE) identified by the 204th BSB
Commander, Lt. Col. Todd S. Bertulis.
The five LOEs are financial readiness,
understanding resources available, understand
ing lifestyle changes, expecting the unexpected
and communication.
Bertulis’ philosophy is simple- to make sure
spouses are ready to take care of themselves,
their families and provide a support network
for other families and for their deployed
Soldiers.
The Family Strong Program consisted
of several guest speakers. Three military
spouses shared their personal stories about
Chaplain’s Corner: pay attention
Pray without ceasing:
When Paul wrote these words he did not
mean that we should do nothing but pray. He
was talking about an approach we should take
to the world. Rather than living lives removed
from the world, we should pay constant
attention to what is around us. He was saying
every step you take is an act of prayer. Or more
simply stated, pay attention!
The Buddhist tradition has a similar view
of prayer, thought they call it meditation. The
purpose, like Christian prayer, is to help us pay
attention to what really matters. Buddhists
recognize that while we only live in the present
moment too often we worry about the past or
stress over the future. The result is that we
miss the only moment we really live in, the
Warhorse
Pride
Col. John S. Kolasheski..................2nd BCT Commander
Command Sgt. Maj. Kenneth Barteau.....2nd BCT CSM
Lt. Col. Richard Stebbins................................2nd BCT PAO
2nd Lt. Christopher McMillan....................................Editor
Staff Writers
Sgt. Seth Barham and Spc. April York
Warhorse Pride Issue 13 May 20, 2010
the hardships of having
a deployed Soldier,
including post-partum
depression, loss of a loved
one and isolation.
The message heard
by the Roughrider
audience was clear: you
are not alone and sharing
struggles with others
who are feeling the same
brings strength.
The program also
hosted guests from
the Army Community Guest speakers spoke with Soldiers from 204th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd
Service (ACS) staff who Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division about building resilient families, as
spoke on how to build part of 204th BSB’s Family Strong Program, at the McMahon Theatre on May 12.
(U.S. Army photo by Capt. Joel Payne)
resiliency in families,
specifically for parents and children and resources available to military families.
provided an overview of resiliency. The 204th BSB Chaplain, Capt. Joel Payne,
The 204th Family Readiness Support concluded the presentation with a seminar
Assistant (FRSA) and the brigade Military on effective communication. Another Family
Family Life Consultant (MFLC) spoke about Strong program is planned focusing more on
the Family Readiness Group (FRG) and other the topic of effective communication.
present one. As Buddhist teacher Thich Naht
Hahn says, “We only have moments to live.”
A better way is to bring our attention to the
present moment. The Anapanasati Sutra on
Mindfulness states, “The Practitioner lives in
Safety
• Did you know…nearly 800 people are killed in
direct and constant mindfulness.” To me this bicycle-related crashes each year.
• Did you know…nearly 70% of all fatal bicycle
sound a lot like “pray without ceasing.” crashes involve head injuries, yet only about
20-25% of all bicyclists wear helmets
Paul and the Buddha discovered much the • Did you know…a bicycle helmet can reduce
same thing: Paying attention to the present
the risk of a head injury by up to 85%?
• All riders, adults and children, should know
moment is like living in a state of constant that helmets save lives.
prayer. As we cultivate our ability to be in When buying a helmet, look for the label that reads,
“Complies with U.S. CPSC Safety Standard for Bicycle Helmets.”
this moment, we can live more fully in every Rider actions and reactions, especially obeying traffic laws,
play a major role in injury-free bicycling!
moment. As Paul said, “Pray without ceasing.” Bicycle safety . . . it’s no accident!
Or as The Buddha said, “Pay attention!” After • Protect your head by wearing a helmet.
• Learn the rules of the road and obey traffic laws.
all, we only have moments to live. • Wear bright colors and reflective tape to be seen.
Chaplain (Capt.) George Tyger U.S. Consumer Product
Safety Commission
Sign up to receive free NSN safety
alerts and posters at
1st Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment CPSC hotline: 800–638–2772
and 800–638–8270 (TTY) www.cpsc.gov
NSN–07–2
The Warhorse Pride is produced in the approved by the 2nd Brigade Combat Team
interest of the Soldiers of the 2nd Brigade Public Affairs Office.
Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division. The The Warhorse Pride welcomes articles,
Warhorse Pride is an Army-funded newsletter commentary, and photos from readers. The
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not necessarily the views of, nor endorsed by All issues of the Warhorse Pride can be
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horse Pride is prepared, edited, provided and editor: c.mcmillan2@us.army.mil