Brookhaven, Miss., native, Sgt. Raymond Nelson, a retransmission team chief assigned to 1st Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, kisses his "battle buddy," for good luck, before the Spur Ride kicks off. Soldiers participating in the Silver Spur Ride on Camp Taji, Dec. 12, were each given an egg to keep safe and protect throughout the competition.