After more than a year of recuperating at Fort Gordon from a shoulder injury she suffered in Iraq, Sgt. Cary Dunaway has finally embraced sweet tea.
"Six weeks ago, I still wouldn't touch the stuff," said Sgt. Dunaway, a Michigan native and member of Fort Gordon's Warrior Transition Battalion since June 2008, who had more than one glass of the beverage during a luncheon Monday at American Legion Post 178 on Richmond Hill Road.
About 30 wounded soldiers had a Southern-style lunch of fried chicken, cole slaw, rice and gravy, green beans and, of course, sweet tea.
"This is our first time feeding the wounded warriors," said Oscar Sims, the post commander.
The post supports veterans and active-duty soldiers in a variety of ways.
Members of its motorcycle group escort soldiers to and from Augusta Regional Airport when they leave and return from deployment. The post also prepares a luncheon and bingo game every other month for veterans at the Georgia War Veterans Nursing Home.
First Sgt. Norman Fountain of the Warrior Transition Battalion said it's not unusual for Augusta residents to reach out to the wounded soldiers at Fort Gordon.
And while the soldiers appreciated the hospitality from the veterans at the American Legion Post, there was something 1st Sgt. Fountain said they appreciated more.
"If it wasn't for these veterans, we wouldn't have the freedoms we do," he said.
Mr. Sims said post members planned to prepare a luncheon for the soldiers about every two months. He said he would like to have an activity next time.
The Augusta Chronicle ©2010 Morris Communications, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
That southern lunch can put on the pounds and soldiers must remain IAW AR 600-9, but since recovery is progressing so well they should be rewarded. However, the story doesn't scratch the surface of all the problems returning servicemembers are having with transistion. The people responsible and paid, to inform Americans has failed in their duty. What a crying shame.