FORT BLISS MONITOR • JULY 30, 2009 • 15B 14B • JULY 30, 2009 • FORT BLISS MONITOR S oldiers and family members from Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command, were able to let loose and enjoy a day of fun-filled activities during their organizational day, held July 17 at Kelly Park. The day kicked off with a gung-ho game of basketball where Soldiers and family members battled for the championship. While the adults were battling on the courts, the children were competing to win a Playstation 2 in a tournament of Guitar Hero. This video game tournament was run by Staff Sgt. Michael Abrams, who is a platoon sergeant for HHB, 32nd AAMDC. “I think the kids really enjoyed them- selves. At first it didn’t look like it was going to be a hit, then I had a crowd and couldn’t keep them away,” said Abrams. The basketball game was then followed by a grueling game of volleyball, where the Soldiers and family members bruised and scraped their knees in order to keep the ball in play. “There was really good sportsmanship out here today. It was nice because it was not rank-oriented and we got to interact with one another on a personal level,” said Spc. Fernando Gilday, an intelligence analyst assigned to HHB, 32nd AAMDC. After competitive games of basketball and volleyball, the Soldiers and their families enjoyed activities and festivities that were sponsored by the El Paso community. The children bounced and jumped in the bouncing balloons that were provided by Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation. “The El Paso community really helped contribute to making our organizational day a success,” said 2nd Lt. Edwin Gonzalez, the executive officer for HHB, 32nd AAMDC. The Soldiers and family members dined from a buffet line of food that included hot dogs, hamburgers, ribs and other tasty cuisines. “Gus Rodriguez, who is the president of the Association of the United States Army, provided the food for our organizational day,” said Gonzalez. After lunch, several Soldiers and their spouses had an opportunity to play the “Married Couples Game,” which was spon- sored by Cee Jay Bowker, the director of sales and marketing for the Best Western Hotel. The couples were asked questions about their spouses, and the couple who got the most answers right was given a free weekend at the Pine Springs Inn or the Ruidoso Inn in Ruidoso N.M. “We have great respect for the military and their families; we try to support the Soldiers in any way possible,” said Bowker. “I am very honored and humbled that I was able to participate in today’s events.” The United Service Organizations assisted in face painting and providing washable tem- porary tattoos for the children, as well as handing out information on the services and events the organization has to offer. Toward the end of the day there were a few more surprises in store for the children and the adults. The unit had provided piñatas with good- ies for the childen and adults to hit ... or at least try to hit. The piñatas the childen aimed for were stuffed with candy, and the elusive dollar-bill-shaped piñata for the adults was filled with gift cards to the Post Exchange. “I think this is the best organizational day I have ever been to and I have been in the Army for 17 years,” said Sgt. 1st Class Connie Fassler, the spouse of Master Sgt. Jeremiah Fassler, who is the chief paralegal for HHB, 32nd AAMDC. As the event drew to a close, and Soldiers and family members began to leave the park, the organizational day’s purpose of providing a day of fun-filled activities and camaraderie was a task that they all considered mission complete. Brig. Gen. Robert Woods, the com- manding general of the 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command, takes the time to get to know Spc. Kevin Crespo, an executive assistant for Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 32nd AAMDC, and his family during an organizational day at Kelly Park July 17. Staff Sgt. Eyda Glover, a human resources sergeant for Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command, holds her son Pete Smith as he gets his face paint- ed by a United Service Organizations representative during an organizational day held at Kelly Park July 17. Lexy, the goddaughter of Sgt. Maj. Elaine Cellurs-White, the logistics sergeant major for 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command, explores the piñatas dur- ing an organizational day held at Kelly Park July 17. Staff Sgt. Michael Abrams, center, a platoon sergeant for Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 32d Army Air and Missile Defense Command, guides the children of HHB, 32nd AAMDC, Soldiers as they com- pete during a Guitar Hero competition held at Kelly Park July 17. Master Sgt. Jeremiah Fassler, the chief paralegal for 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command, and his wife Sgt. 1st Class Connie Fassler sit and relax as they watch an intense game of volleyball during an organizational day at Kelly Park July 17. Col. Timothy Starke, left, the senior commu- nications officer / assistant chief of staff for 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command, and Spc. Calvin Vaught, a light- wheeled vehicle mechanic assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 32nd AAMDC, soar in the air as they fight for the ball during an organizational day held at Kelly Park July 17.