Photos by Capt. Michael L. Ashley Signal Corps Captains Career Course students spend time chatting with veterans Dec. 9 during a visit to the Georgia War Veterans Nursing Home. Let’s be honest. Who really likes to put on their Class-As? The Army dress uniform is especially unyielding when it’s an unseasonable seventy plus degrees out. Forty Signal captains did just that Dec. 9, donning the infamous “greens” to spread some holiday cheer and show their thanks to the residents of the Georgia War Veterans Nursing Home.

The students are typically at Fort Gordon for six months while attending the Signal Corps Captains Career Course.Though their stay is short, the officers were anxious to contribute to the Augusta community in a meaningful way. “We all felt that caroling for veterans provided a special opportunity to continue a tradition and share in the rich heritage of our military.” said class leader Carlos Garth.

Captains attending the Signal Corps Captains Career Course here, spent Dec. 9 singing Christmas songs and carols to veterans at the Georgia War Veterans Nursing Home. Though some were obviously not confident in their singing skills, all of the students were visibly excited about the opportunity to interact with their fellow, albeit older, warriors.

Teams of 10 students dispersed to each floor and were immediately greeted by waiting veterans. As the caroling captains sang Christmas standards and holiday classics, veterans got into the act by singing and clapping their hands. Even the staff joined in the merriment.

After a few favorites were belted out and everyone had joined in the revelry the students divided up to spend some quality time with veterans on an individual basis. The veterans, some old, some new, bonded quickly the way Soldiers often do, by telling war stories. The veterans assembled covered an amazing spectrum of conflicts, battles, fronts and regions from Vietnam, the Korean War, and World War II. Though each veterans experience was unique, a common thread through out seemed to be unwavering pride remembering their service and the appreciation for the new generation waging today’s battles.

A war veteran and a Signal Corps Capatians Career Course student share a few moments learning about each other. “With our WWII Veterans passing at an estimated 1,000 per day, there isn’t a more worthwhile cause for our young leaders to contribute their personal time to an event that enriches the lives of our Nation’s Greatest Generation,” said Lt. Col. Ed Buck, 442nd Signal Bn. commander.

“We learn so much from just being in their presence, it was a privilege for our Soldiers to spend time with them,” said Buck.

As stories were exchanged in rooms and lobbies a genuine friendship and understanding began to form between the two groups.

“The singing was definitely not the best I’ve heard, but the camaraderie was some of the best I’ve had.” said Capt. Eric Wagoner,one of the course students. Other students felt an emotional connection in sharing with the veterans’ experiences.

Capt. Donna Kim explained how the wheelchair bound and soft-spoken, WWII veteran Lewis C. Thompson had moved her to tears.

“Once we were done singing Lewis pointed up to the chest of the Soldier standing beside me.Tears started welling up in his eyes and he said, ‘I’m so proud to see you wearing a CIB, I have a CIB too.’” said Kim. “I got all choked up. I was very touched by that moment.”

Before long the time had flown by as it often does when Soldiers are enjoying each other’s company. Handshakes, hugs, and heartfelt thanks were shared as the carolers prepared to leave.

Tom Isom, a WWII era Navy deep sea diver and Pearl Harbor survivor approached two of the captains waiting for the elevator – “That’s the only problem I have with the Army these days, they wear fatigues all the time.”

Another veteran in the background added “I saw a general on TV in fatigues,” with an apparent lack of amusement. As the elevator door opened up, Isom finished with “Ya’ll look great keep up the good work!”