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SPC Lloyd Clevenger
6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 4th IBCT 
FORT STEWART, Ga. – When an American Soldier puts on his or her uniform every day, they make sacrifices for our nation and fellow citizens. Those sacrifices may take the form of deployments overseas, resulting in separation from family and friends. If needed, the Soldier may choose make the ultimate sacrifice to defend our freedom and protect democracy. In or out of uniform, a true American Soldier consistently exhibits the highest standard of Army values in every aspect of his or her life. A true American Soldier is a willing servant of our nation, and is ready to answer the call when needed, even if that call comes from a complete stranger from all the way across the world.
On Sunday, March 4, 2012, First Sergeant Christopher Williams of HHT 6-8 Calvary Regiment 3rd Infantry Division answered that call by donating bone marrow to a 33-year-old woman in Greece whom he had never met. “I became a bone marrow donor back in OIF V (Operation Iraqi Freedom) when a Soldier of mine was in need of a transplant after the deployment,” 1SGT Williams explained. “Unfortunately, out of the 3500 men and women that tested to be donors, none were a match and the Soldier passed away. Ever since that day I wished for the chance to be that five minutes of hope when they find out they have a donor, which could possibly save their life.”
About a month ago, 1SGT Williams was given that chance. He was flown to Washington DC to begin the procedure, which consists of strenuous tests to ensure that the donor is 100% compatible and is able to endure the strain put on the body during the process. Ten shots were administered over the two days prior to the operation. On the third day, a machine would extract white blood cells and plasma from one arm and pump oxygen-rich blood back into the other. “After every shot to raise my white blood cell count, my spleen grew to double its size and I became very sore,” 1SGT Williams said. “But I knew the pain was nothing to what this woman had been going through her whole life.”
After five hours and tremendous amounts of pain, twenty-four ounces of life saving bone marrow was ready to be sent to Greece. “I wish I could be there to make sure it saves her life, that would just make it all that much more worth it for me,” 1SGT Williams said. He will have to wait three months to learn whether she has survived the operation. According to 1SGT Williams, transplant operation patients have anywhere from an 85-89 percent chance to make a full recovery after receiving the bone marrow. “Due to legal formalities it will take that long to find out,” explained Williams. “Six months down the road I might get to meet her if all goes well.”
Despite the grueling donation procedure and the waiting period afterward, Williams was ready and willing to make the sacrifice—and states that he hopes “to one day do it again.” He reflects “it was a pretty painful experience, but I think that we as Soldiers are battle-tested and hardened by our training and our combat experience helps us handle any tough or adverse situation and to keep the positive aspect in sight.”
As always, the support given Soldiers by their families provides the motivation to perform great acts of service such as this one. “I’m blessed to have the wonderful support of my family behind me on this endeavor,” Williams stated. “My wife stood by me through the whole operation and took wonderful photos for me as I went through this procedure.” 1SGT Williams encourages “anyone who is interested in donating just Google search ‘bone marrow donation’ and they will send you the test kit in the mail and you will be on to saving lives.”
1SGT Williams’ courage and willingness to save lives is displayed through this selfless action. His personal sacrifice is a testament to his leadership and conscientious effort to improve the lives of others—even those he has never met. 1SGT Williams an example of a true American Soldier, in or out of uniform. His hope is that every Soldier will realize “that not only are we soldiers 24/7, but we will always be servants of humanity as well.
SPC Lloyd Clevenger
6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 4th IBCT 
On March 28, 2012 the Vanguard Volunteer Recognition Ceremony was held at the Fort Stewart Museum in order to recognize the contributions of seven individuals, whose dedication and hard work exemplified great perseverance in the over 700 hours they dedicated to their respective Family Readiness Group. Representing Bushmaster Troop, 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment; Mrs. Jennifer Manis was recognized for over 50 additional hours of service and numerous contributions to the Post Family Readiness Group. Mrs. Manis is pictured with her husband, Sergeant Chad Manis, Lieutenant Colonel Justin Hadley, 6-8 CAV Commander, and Command Sergeant Major Lemuel Powell, 6-8 CAV CSM.
Staff Sgt. Tanya Polk
4th IBCT, 3rd Inv. Div. Public Affairs 
FORT STEWART, Ga. – Dropped off into an unknown location with only a map and a compass, 32 teams of more than 300 Soldiers tested their proficiency against enemy detection and their willpower to undergo more than 18 miles of grueling reconnaissance tasks, April 10-11.
The 36-hour mission upheld a long-standing Army tradition as Troopers with the 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, strived for their chance to earn the coveted Silver Spur.
“This will be a challenging event for most, but what is most important is that you finish as a team,” Lt. Col. Justin Hadley, 6th Sqdn., 8th Cav. Regt. commander, said to his Soldiers before they set out on the squadron’s spur ride.
It was going to take working together for each group to orient their way out of the dense Fort Stewart woodlands. Battling the tough terrain coupled with the Georgia heat took a toll on many of the Troopers—for some, the spur ride sparked a level of fatigue they’ve never felt before.
“I just keep telling my guys to push through the pain,” said Sgt. 1st Class Timothy Monfort, with Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 6th Sqdn., 8th Cav. Regt. “This is the first time we’ve ever done anything like this. This is rough and intense, but my team is making every effort to win first place.”
Monfort’s squad was the first team to reach the first objective after navigating through the woods for almost eight hours. There, they had to treat a simulated casualty, and then carry the casualty for three more miles on a field crafted litter.
The Soldiers also had to complete a series of other tasks, like reassembling and firing machine guns, classifying bridges, calling for fire and knowing 8th Cavalry Regiment history. These tasks are common knowledge for a cavalry scout; however, a large percentage of Soldiers who participated in the spur ride specialize in combat-service-support related jobs.
Specialist Shafiya Dure, a communications specialist with D Company, 703rd Brigade Support Battalion (an element of Soldiers who directly support 6-8 Cav. Regt.), said that proving she could complete the missions normally expected of a Scout gave her a greater sense of accomplishment. She was the first female Soldier to complete the Spur Ride with her team.
“It’s another notch I get to add to my belt,” said Dure. “A lot of people may think that female Soldiers can’t do it, but I made it, I am here, and there are about five other female Soldiers who are not too far behind me.”
Dure said she longed for the opportunity to earn her silver spurs after deploying with 6-8 Cav., earning golden ones. She said she knew this would be a challenging feat to overcome, but she did whatever it took to keep herself mentally focused.
“I tried to block the pain in any way I could, even if it meant singing to myself for no reason,” she laughed.
Keeping in high spirits, and the overall drive to succeed helped 275 “Mustang” Soldiers earn their silver spurs. Maj. Gen. Robert “Abe” Abrams, the commanding general for the 3rd Inf. Div., congratulated the Troopers for their accomplishments and awarded the best overall team their spurs during a traditional spur dinner.
“You should feel different, you should feel special,” Abrams said to the newest 3rd Inf. Div. Soldiers inducted into the Order of the Spur.
Abrams said that the ‘Mustang’ Soldiers should be proud to have taken part in the spur ride and to be a part of the 8th Cavalry Regiment he has served since 1986.
“The history that many of you have learned and studied is rich with selfless sacrifice, courage (and) teamwork. Everyone in this squadron has a chance to write the next chapter of 8th Cavalry history, and I encourage you to write that next chapter.”
The best team awarded their silver spurs are Spc. Justin Monroe, Pfc. Forrest freeman, Cpl. Jason Rose, Pfc. Brandon Elliot-Guillen, Staff Sgt. Matthew Helmer, Sgt. Todd McDuffie, Spc. James Cheriyout and Sgt. Christopher Sanders – all with Troop A, 6-8 Cav.
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