Soldiers primarily with the Army's 2nd Cavalry Regiment, along with some of their family members, stand in formation after running for the holiday Family Fun Run and Toy Drive, at Vilseck, Germany, Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2017. (Martin Egnash/Stars and Stripes)
Soldiers primarily with the Army's 2nd Cavalry Regiment, along with some of their family members, stand in formation after running for the holiday Family Fun Run and Toy Drive, at Vilseck, Germany, Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2017. (Martin Egnash/Stars and Stripes)
Soldiers along with some of their family members, cool down after running for the holiday Family Fun Run and Toy Drive, at Vilseck, Germany, Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2017. (Martin Egnash/Stars and Stripes)
Soldiers and family members wait in line to drop off toys after participating in the holiday Family Fun Run and Toy Drive at Vilseck, Germany, on Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2017. (Martin Egnash/Stars and Stripes)
Soldiers with the Army's 2nd Cavalry Regiment drop off toys to 1st Sgt. Langes, left, dressed as Santa Claus, during the holiday Family Fun Run and Toy Drive at Vilseck, Germany, Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2017. (Martin Egnash/Stars and Stripes)
Piles of toys donated from soldiers with the Army's 2nd Cavalry Regiment during the Family Fun Run and Toy Drive at Vilseck, Germany, Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2017. (Martin Egnash/Stars and Stripes)
Soldiers with the Army's 2nd Cavalry Regiment enjoy hot cocoa after the Family Fun Run and Toy Drive at Vilseck, Germany, Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2017. (Martin Egnash/Stars and Stripes)
VILSECK, Germany — Soldiers and family members of the Army’s 2nd Cavalry Regiment had a festive physical training session Wednesday, when they ran in formation with toys inside their backpacks to donate to a German orphanage.
More than 100 soldiers and family members ran during the Family Fun Run and Toy Drive, bringing in piles of toys to be donated to the Kinderdorf Orphanage.
Many of the soldiers and families ran about a mile wearing Santa Claus costumes, in addition to their Army issued “assault packs” stuffed with toys.
“It wasn’t really supposed to be a strenuous (physical training). It was about camaraderie, and doing the right thing,” said 1st Sgt. Jennifer Langes, with 2CR’s 4th Squadron.
The event was organized by the Sergeant Morales Club, U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria.
