Deployed Soldiers volunteer
at local animal shelter
by Spc. David L. Nye
1st Bn., 7th ADA PAO

Even in times of war, the typical Soldier is always looking to improve his lot in life and in many cases at the benefit of others. This is also true for Soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 7th Air Defense Artillery in a remote, undisclosed location. 

“I really encourage other Soldiers to volunteer, it relieves not only the tension but the stress,” said Pvt. Christopher J. Cigic, a small arms repairer with Company E, 1st Bn., 7th ADA after a day spent volunteering at the local animal shelter near their operations base. 
Cigic and nine other Soldiers, including the company first sergeant, traveled to the shelter as the start of a community relations campaign suggested and organized by Soldiers in the company as they begin their year-long deployment. 

Some of the Soldiers in the company wanted to get out in the community, explained Cigic. 
“We try to see new things, get a break from the consistency of everyday military life,” he continued. 

“I like to help,” said Spc. Jovair T. Adams, a wheeled mechanic with Co. E, 1st Bn., 7th ADA. “I like to get to know the locals.” 

Soldiers searched for somewhere to go off their station to make a difference in their remote location. 

“We went to the (Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Center) and looked at upcoming events and thought about what we could and could not do,” Cigic said. 

After deciding the animal shelter was a good project for the Soldiers to get involved with, organizers asked the company for volunteers. 

“Over half the company wanted to go,” he said. “We’re going to be rotating through the shelter. When this event comes up in the future, other Soldiers will be able to go.” 

“Today we walked dogs and helped clean up the shelter,” said Adams. “We helped relieve some of the regular volunteers by taking over some everyday duties.” 

Soldiers on future trips will have their hands full as plans for helping the shelter expand to building more cat and dog traps and aiding in shelter improvement, said Cigic.

Ongoing efforts by Co. E to support the animal shelter are part of a wider effort to help other residents of the host nation, said 1st Sgt. George J. Donnelly, Co. E. He added that the company is also currently making plans to help a local elementary school.