4-27 FA Regt. supports cancer awareness, demonstrates solidarity with walk
Soldiers of 4th Battalion, 27th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, stand in front of an M109A6 self-propelled howitzer Sept. 28 at Sierra Providence East Medical Center during the “Think Pink” cancer awareness walk and events. Photo by Sgt. Sean Harriman, 2nd BCT, 1st AD Public Affairs.
Sgt. Sean Harriman,
2nd BCT, 1st AD Public Affairs:
October is breast and liver cancer awareness month, and in a show of support, the Soldiers of 4th Battalion, 27th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, along with their Sierra Providence East Medical Center partners, conducted a walk and held a day of cancer awareness classes Sept. 28, to bring attention to a potentially deadly medical malady that affects more than 10 percent of all American women.
“This event shows the partnership between civilians and the military,” said Pvt. John Nathan Braun, fire support specialist assigned to the battalion. “We support them through hardships and they support us through ours.”
The breast cancer awareness walk, dubbed “Think Pink,” began at 7 a.m. and was followed by educational seminars, breakfast for participants and a static display of different pieces of battalion equipment, including an M1200 Knight and an M777 towed howitzer.
One participating Soldier felt a special personal duty in the walk: His grandfather had cancer.
Soldiers of 4th Battalion, 27th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, mingle with one another immediately after the walk portion of the “Think Pink” cancer awareness walk Sept. 28 at Sierra Providence East Medical Center in support of breast and liver cancer awareness for the month of October. Photo by Sgt. Sean Harriman, 2nd BCT, 1st AD Public Affairs.
“I feel proud to do the walk, having someone in my family who had cancer,” said Pfc. Mark Perez, combat observation laser team member. “I can give my experience to people who have not had to deal. It allows me to give back to people.”
This is not the first event the battalion has conducted with Sierra Providence East Medical Center, nor will it be the last.
“[The] 4-27 FA’s relationship with SPEMC goes back to November of 2010,” said Sandra Moody, the battalion family readiness support assistant. “Prior to that, SPEMC was partnered with 5-1 Fires Bn., which became 4-27 FA in 2010.”
One of the biggest benefits of the relationship with Sierra Providence East Medical Center, Moody said, is how close it is to the military families and that it brings the availability of medical care so close to home. For Soldiers like Perez, the relationship with Sierra Providence East Medical Center affords a chance to give back to the community.
“This military partnership shows we support our community, families and everyone around us,” said Perez. “Not only are we doing something for our country, but we also care for and work with them at times like this.”
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