The cavalry squadron needed the training. The hospital had the expertise.

Fort Lewis’ community connections program made the link.

In November 2007, the soldiers of 8th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment were preparing for a deployment to Iraq, where they would play a role in rebuilding the country. The unit leadership contacted Good Samaritan Hospital in Puyallup and asked for help.

"We approached them and said, ‘We want to learn how to run a hospital on a daily basis. We need to know all the stuff that’s needed to maintain the infrastructure on a daily basis and provide resources to the local community,’" said Command Sgt. Maj. Daniel Willing during a farewell party the hospital hosted for the squadron Friday morning. "They were all for it. I teamed up with the maintenance crew. Others shadowed guys in the ER."

As part of 5th Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, the squadron was linked with Puyallup through community connections, a 9-year-old program that twins a Fort Lewis unit with one of the surrounding communities. And even though the brigade has since been redirected to Afghanistan – it will deploy in early summer – Willing stressed the importance of the experience.

"The relationships we’ve built here have been great," he said. "After all, we’re all a part of this community.

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A cavalry squadron from Fort Lewis' 5th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division is at Good Samaritan Hospital in Puyallup this morning, just weeks before the Stryker brigade is expected to leave for Afghanistan.

The soldiers from 8th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment will be showing off two of their signature eight-wheeled vehicles in the parking lot of the hospital's children's therapy unit. The squadron has been partnered with the hospital through Fort Lewis' community connections program, which links units with cities.

From a hospital press release:

Members of the Squadron’s leadership were partnered with members of Good Samaritan’s staff; the new teams met multiple times on Good Samaritan’s campus to shadow the hospital’s clinicians, share best practices and understand the intricacies of operating a health care facility. This unique partnership encompassed every facet of hospital operations, to include such departments as physical medicine & rehabilitation, emergency medicine, campus development, finance, human resources and mental health.

Check back here for a recap of the event later today.