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The G.I. Go Fund
Where Veterans Go Forward
G.I. GO says Thank You to the 416 in a "Sweet" Way
7/09/06
Article by: G.I. GO Staff writer James Fanous
The G.I. GO Fund was in Morristown, Pennsylvania this past Sunday delivering donuts and pastries at the
416th Civil Affairs Battalion picnic for departing troops.
The picnic was a set up to give the soldiers an all-American farewell, with softball for the troops
and water sports for the kids.
“This was nothing,” said G.I. GO
President Jack Fanous. “These
brave men and women are out here
doing the hardest job in this country,
defending its freedom. We feel that
donuts were the least we could do to
show our support."
Established in 1952, the 416th was
originally organized as a Military
Government Company, contributing
in such campaigns as disaster relief
in Lebanon in 1977. After it was
transformed into a CA in 1992, the
battalion has assisted in civil affair
aid in almost every US military
campaign and beyond; from
Operation Desert Shield/Storm in Southwest Asia to Operation
Restore Hope in the Republic of Haiti and even efforts in North
Korea and South America.
The 416th served in Iraq conducting stability operations for the
purpose of providing a secure and stable environment for the
Iraqi people, as well as helping to develop a functional civil
administration in the region. Their efforts include improving the Iraqi National Guard, stabilizing the
once corrupt health care system under Saddam Hussein, and conducting numerous free health
screenings for over 100 children, women, and men.
Other endeavors of the battalion include conducting Iraq’s first International Women’s Conference
last March. The conference recognized coordinated efforts of women everywhere for equal rights
and political and economic equality.
“It’s great to see something like this,” said Battalion CSM Michael Grandy upon G.I. GO’s arrival.
“Usually when people say that they support the troops, they never understand what it means or how
to do it. These guys came and really helped out.”
Grandy later showed the 416th’s appreciation for the Fund when he named G.I. GO VP and former
US Marine Brian Smith an honorary member of the battalion. Smith was given a base pin to
commemorate the occasion.
“I was very surprised when he gave it to me,” said Smith. “When we came, all we wanted to do is
show our support to guys who we felt really deserved it. To be given a medal for it was a true honor.”
The G.I. GO Fund is a non-profit organization that pledges to support all our troops by relieving the
stress that comes with defending our great nation.
7/09/06
Article by: G.I. GO Staff writer James Fanous
The G.I. GO Fund was in Morristown, Pennsylvania this past Sunday delivering donuts and pastries at the
416th Civil Affairs Battalion picnic for departing troops.
The picnic was a set up to give the soldiers an all-American farewell, with softball for the troops
and water sports for the kids.
“This was nothing,” said G.I. GO
President Jack Fanous. “These
brave men and women are out here
doing the hardest job in this country,
defending its freedom. We feel that
donuts were the least we could do to
show our support."
Established in 1952, the 416th was
originally organized as a Military
Government Company, contributing
in such campaigns as disaster relief
in Lebanon in 1977. After it was
transformed into a CA in 1992, the
battalion has assisted in civil affair
aid in almost every US military
campaign and beyond; from
Operation Desert Shield/Storm in Southwest Asia to Operation
Restore Hope in the Republic of Haiti and even efforts in North
Korea and South America.
The 416th served in Iraq conducting stability operations for the
purpose of providing a secure and stable environment for the
Iraqi people, as well as helping to develop a functional civil
administration in the region. Their efforts include improving the Iraqi National Guard, stabilizing the
once corrupt health care system under Saddam Hussein, and conducting numerous free health
screenings for over 100 children, women, and men.
Other endeavors of the battalion include conducting Iraq’s first International Women’s Conference
last March. The conference recognized coordinated efforts of women everywhere for equal rights
and political and economic equality.
“It’s great to see something like this,” said Battalion CSM Michael Grandy upon G.I. GO’s arrival.
“Usually when people say that they support the troops, they never understand what it means or how
to do it. These guys came and really helped out.”
Grandy later showed the 416th’s appreciation for the Fund when he named G.I. GO VP and former
US Marine Brian Smith an honorary member of the battalion. Smith was given a base pin to
commemorate the occasion.
“I was very surprised when he gave it to me,” said Smith. “When we came, all we wanted to do is
show our support to guys who we felt really deserved it. To be given a medal for it was a true honor.”
The G.I. GO Fund is a non-profit organization that pledges to support all our troops by relieving the
stress that comes with defending our great nation.
The 416th Civil Affairs
Battalion has made some
of the most wonderful
and yet unpublicized
contributions to the
rebuilding of Iraq. To
meet the 416, click here.
Battalion has made some
of the most wonderful
and yet unpublicized
contributions to the
rebuilding of Iraq. To
meet the 416, click here.
