Patriots cheerleaders provide ‘huge morale boost’ for troops

By Sgt. Sean Harriman, 4th CAB Public Affairs
Ft. Hood Sentinel
January 6, 2011

CAMP MARMAL, Afghanistan – When Spc. Paul Gonsch, Company C, 404th Aviation Support Battalion, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, began his guard shift here Christmas Day, he was prepared for anything.

When a blue bus stopped at his vehicle check point, he was pleasantly surprised to see six New England Patriots cheerleaders spring out to meet him and ask about his day.

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Sponsored by the United Service Organizations and organized by 4th CAB, 4th Inf. Div., and 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, the cheerleaders toured the majority of combat outposts throughout Regional Command (North) from Dec. 26-29, where they did meet and greets, visiting with service members, civilians and with U.S. Special Operation Forces.

They also performed a variety show of modern dance routines, singing and skits with crowd participation for International Security Assistance Force service members and civilians deployed to some of the most remote locations in the region.

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Sergeant Dan Mack, Headquarters Support Company, 404th ASB, 4th CAB, 4th Inf. Div., attended one of the performances on Dec. 29. Mack, who is on his third deployment, was happy to have a chance to see the show.

“(I’ve) seen a few shows,” he said. “A lot of celebrities used to come through and I remember my first deployment when Kid Rock came through. This was a really good show, too, and it’s definitely going to be a huge morale booster.”

Angela Lavoie, one of the cheerleaders and a middle school math teacher, has done two tours for service members and civilians, her last one in 2007.

“You gain a new kind of appreciation for what the Soldiers do here,” Lavoie said. “They’ve given up all of their holidays, we only have to give up one of ours.”