766th Engineers Hold First Open House to Link Community with Citizens Soldiers

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SPRINGFIELD, IL (07/19/2012)(readMedia)-- Nearly 100 Illinois National Guard family members, friends and Decatur residents attended in the first 766th Engineer Battalion open house in Decatur, July 14.

"This open house gave the community a look at what we do and showed them we are here to support them and this nation," said 1st Sgt. John Rehbein of Auburn, with the 766th Engineer Battalion, Field Support Company in Decatur.

Many military equipment displays were onsite while Soldiers of the 766th educated the public on the equipment capabilities and missions they have in operations overseas.

Along with equipment displays, the open house also included a food and clothing drive, Dave's Mountain Style BBQ food, and an American Red Cross blood drive.

"The mission of the 766th this weekend was to strengthen our relationship with the local community and future recruits," said Capt. Aaron Tvrdy of Chicago, 766th Commander. "This open house was a great chance for the troops to relax with their families after two weeks of annual training at the Sparta Training Area in Sparta."

Future plans for the 766th include an annual training mission to Africa in August and tactical training to prepare Soldiers for future missions, both foreign and domestic.