By Iain Jaramillo, NMNG Public Affairs Specialist
RIO RANCHO, N.M. — Local businesses and celebrities treated the Soldiers of A and B Companies, 1st Battalion, 200th Infantry, to a pre-deployment luncheon coordinated by the Colt Balok Show at the Rio Rancho Readiness Center Oct. 8.
Soldiers spent the morning training on the high ropes and team-building courses at the RRRC before enjoying a lunch provided by Texas Roadhouse and coffee provided by Starbucks. The meal was served by employees of the Albuquerque Cabela’s. The Girl Scouts of New Mexico Trails donated cookies for dessert.
Winner of the 15th season of The Voice, Chevel Shepherd, attended the luncheon to help serve the Soldiers and sing “God Bless America.” Professional fighter and former world champion Holly Holm also made a surprise appearance to spend time with the troops.
Donald Lopez, the mayor of Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, and Greg Hull, the mayor of Rio Rancho, also attended the event and spoke to the troops.
The luncheon was part of the Colt Balok Show’s initiative to support and honor the Soldiers before their deployment and give back to the community, said Balok.
“It means the world to us, everything that you all are doing,” Balok Said. “So many people came together to make this happen.”
The Soldiers will spend about 9 months in Djibouti conducting security force operations as part of Operation Enduring Freedom – Horn of Africa. They may keep many mementos and personal items to remind them of home during their time away, but Sgt. Adam Norris received a special token of appreciation for his service.
The Girl Scouts of New Mexico Trails presented Norris with a hand-made Quilt of Valor to honor the unit and their deployment. Norris was selected to receive the quilt for “being a testament of hard work and dedication” to the unit.
Chevel Shepherd spent time with the troops, signed autographs, sang, and served food during the luncheon.
“The military is a really big part of my family and I appreciate all of the troops, so I like to give back,” Shepherd said. “It’s fun to help out and to hear about their experiences. I want to thank them for serving our country. I hope that they’re safe out there, and we’ll be praying for them.”
In a surprise appearance, Holly Holm attended the luncheon to take photographs with the Soldiers and talk with them about their deployment.
“I support all of our troops because we’re so indebted to them,” Holm said. “Any time that I can let them know that and let them know how much I appreciate them, I want to do it. I love meeting the troops; their energy is great and I appreciate all of them.”
“This was such a nice thing for them all to do,” said Spc. Marco Garcia-Ortiz, an infantryman in the 1-200th. “It really lets us know that people appreciate us and care about what we do.”
