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Battalion goes bowling with dads for their day

  • Published
  • By Sgt. Nicole Dykstra
  • 72nd Field Artillery Brigade Public Affairs
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  More than 25 fathers and their families got together to share an afternoon of bowling at the 1st Battalion, 309th Regiment's second free Father's Day bowling event Monday.

Members of 1/309th gathered at the Dix Bowling Center to play a few free strings of stress-free bowling, sponsored by the battalion's Family Readiness Group. Teams quickly formed around the onset at 3 p.m. and soon Soldiers were cheering - or jeering - each other on.

Free bowling for Father's Day is just one of many events the battalion's FRG sponsors for its Soldiers and families, said Sgt. 1st Class Lynette Falkenstein, battalion FRG liaison. Past events have included picnics, family days and a spring egg hunt. A battalion "Fall Fest" is scheduled for later this year.

"Our Soldiers enjoy the chance to take a break from their normal duties to spend time with both their families and fellow Soldiers," she said. "I'm really pleased with the turn out today."

More Soldiers participated in this Father's Day get-together than last year. This is something Lt. Col. Peter Mucciarone, battalion commander, attributes to the FRG's recruiting and communication efforts.

"We've done a good job getting the word out to family members and also letting Soldiers know what the FRG can provide," he said.

The FRG raises funds in support of particular planned events through donations. Many units and like organizations host bake sales, car washes, discounted tickets and various opportunity events. Supporting Soldiers is a full-time job.

FRGs are Army-mandated organizations established to support Soldiers and their families. The groups host activities to boost morale, build camaraderie and enhance the flow of information. They can also help new families adjust to military life and cope with deployments.

"Taking time out of our busy work schedules to include family members is important," said Mucciarone, "... because it allows the families an opportunity to meet and interact with their Soldier's coworkers, who they may hear mentioned in conversation but don't know personally."

"Everyone is able to bond once the families can put faces to the names they hear so often," he said. "And it's great for the family members to meet each other and share their experiences in a relaxed environment."