1st Battalion 22nd Infantry Regulars Adopt School

1st Battalion 22nd Infantry

November 17, 2011

FOUNTAIN — More than 20 Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team,
4th Infantry Division, were invited by students to attend Fountain-Fort Carson High School's 23rd Annual
Thanksgiving Dinner Nov. 17.

"Regular" Soldiers recently began working with Fountain-Fort Carson High School through the Adopt-A-School Program
with the goal of fostering relations with the community. The Thanksgiving dinner was set up by the school's student council,
and was attended by firefighters, policemen and senior citizens of the Fountain community.

"The battalion and brigade commanders met with the garrison commander and his staff about various programs available
to the units on Fort Carson, and one that they were promoting was the Adopt-A-School program," said Lt. Col. Steven Adams,
commander, 1st Bn., 22nd Inf. Reg. "This sparked my interest, so I volunteered the 'Regulars' to participate in the program."

The Adopt-A-School program is a volunteer program devised by senior military members and school administrators to nurture
the intellectual, emotional, social and physical growth of children in the area surrounding Fort Carson.
Soldiers can volunteer their time to help with school events, as well as mentor and tutor the students, said 1st Bn., 22nd Inf. Reg.
Command Sgt. Maj. Timothy Edwards.

"This program benefits both the unit and the community," said Adams. "It gives Soldiers the opportunity to interact with students
and be role models. It also gets the unit involved with the community." This is the Regulars' first time participating in a community event
held by Fountain-Fort Carson High School.

"We began our new partnership about two weeks ago, and it coincided with our annual dinner," said Rob Pennison,
Fountain-Fort Carson High School vice principal. "I felt like the dinner would make a good first (event) to involve
(1st Bn., 22nd Inf. Reg. ) in events with the school. "We plan on involving (them) in many future school events," said Pennison.
"The Soldiers received positive feedback from both the students and community, who were glad to see them in uniform
spending time with the community."

"I believe it is important for the Soldiers to take the time to get involved and participate in community events," said Adams.
"It is a part of our mission to foster a positive relationship with the community and our duty to support the Fountain kids."
"It was great to get the chance to sit down and eat dinner with the people of Fountain," said Capt. Eric Mercer, information
operations officer, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Bn., 22nd Inf. Reg.

Mercer said the dinner provided the opportunity for Soldiers to get out into the community, say thanks for the support
and talk to the students. "This event and the program itself is an excellent way for our battalion to reconnect with the local community,"
said Adams. "With scheduled future events and help from Fountain-Fort Carson High School, we can give back to the community
for all of their support of the (1st BCT, 4th Inf. Div.) 'Raider' brigade and its mission."

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