HOLIDAY ROAD MARCH CONNECTS SOLDIERS TO THE COMMUNITY

By Master Sgt. Shawn R. Morgan, HHD, 2/417

On an unusually warm, early December day in New England, undaunted by the dreary rain, members of Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 417th Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 98th Division, set out on a six-mile foot march through the streets of Hartford, Connecticut. Joined by their Battalion Commander, Command Sergeant Major, and other Soldiers from Headquarters, their rucks were not filled with OCIE, spare boots and “pogey bait,” nor was their first objective some arbitrary turnaround point, ultimately bringing them back to where they began, like most foot marches.

The 24 Soldiers and family members who participated filled their rucks and backpacks with non-perishable food items, and headed for The House of Bread, which sits well within view of downtown Hartford. Led by Bravo Company Led by Bravo Company drill sergeants: Sgt. 1st Class Michael Hopkins and Sgt. 1st Class David DeSalvo, the main body made its way across the city, passing through both residential and commercial areas, and past

Wherever You Serve

shuttered buildings and city parks, often to the supportive cheers and enthusiastic beeps of on-lookers and passers-by.

Over the past six years, company leadership has combined their physical training plan with a holiday food drive each December. On this, his third time participating, 1st Sgt. Jason Armano, Bravo Company First Sergeant, attributed the concept of the operation to his previous company commander, Capt. Kenneth Sargavakian, who thought it would be a good idea to give back to the community.

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“Last year we provided about 9,000 meals, so I’m excited to hear how we did this year. That’s the best part of this, is knowing how many meals we help provide,” Armano said. Based on the increased participation, it is anticipated that this year will exceed that number.

The Battalion Commander of the 2/417th, Lt. Col. Aileen Hermes was pleased with high level of participation, and said she was “reminded why I am proud to serve.” She also expressed her desire that “we build on this opportunity to help” and hoped that this endeavor will “become a longstanding tradition that connects Soldiers and their families with the community.”

Sister Theresa Fonti, CSJ, who with Sister Maureen Faenza, CSJ, co-founded The House of Bread 43 years ago, stated, “We started out just feeding people, and now we help with housing, education and job training. When we started, we didn’t know what we were doing, we just did it and we learned along the way. I love what I’m doing…I love the people I’m serving and working with.” Fonti and Faenza will be stepping down from their key roles in 2023, but staying on to share the wisdom and institutional knowledge that their decades of