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Thursday, December 1, 2005
Santa will stop by Dec. 10 Christmas party for brigade children
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
This Christmas will be different for children of 48th Brigade soldiers.
Most of them have a parent serving in Iraq and will keenly feel their absence.
“Everybody’s spirits are so high. But once the holiday gets here it’s going to be really, really hard,” says Sonya Farrell, whose husband Staff Sgt. Brian Farrell, is deployed.
To help lighten that burden, members of the brigade’s Family Readiness Group are throwing a Dec. 10 children’s Christmas party in Macon.
All children of deployed or rear-detachment soldiers are welcome at the party, which will be held in the gym at Heritage Elementary School, 6050 Thomaston Road.
Farrell, who has three daughters, says she expects 500 or so people, including Santa Claus, at the event, which goes from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Children (infants through high school seniors) can visit with Santa, have a picture taken, and receive a gift. Also featured are free face painting, games, crafts, refreshments and entertainment.
Bus transportation will be available from armories in Cordele, Albany, Savannah, Winder, Calhoun and Oglethorpe (Atlanta).
Organizers are asking for volunteers to help run the event so that 48th family members can fully enjoy the party. Besides volunteers, gift and toy donations are welcome, Farrell says.
For more information, contact party chairperson Sonya Farrell at klassikid@yahoo.com or 706-318-7745. You can also reach Joni Bennett at joni4229@yahoo.com.
Walk like a Babylonian
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia National Guard soldiers in Ur recently inspected the tomb of the Sumerian King Shulgi. The redeployed brigade has a unit near Talil. Troops also have visited Babylon. • SEE PHOTOS
Also at Talil, soldiers hold a lively karaoke contest every Sunday evening in the “Big Top” tent. They poke fun at each other, laugh and mingle with British Army troops.
