56.7 F
Clarksville
Thursday, March 28, 2024
HomeArts/LeisureStatic displays at the 2014 Week of the Eagles Fort Campbell MWR's...

Static displays at the 2014 Week of the Eagles Fort Campbell MWR’s Spectacular Saturday were both impressive and fun

2014 Fort Campbell Week of the EaglesFort Campbell, KY – As part of the 2014 Week of the Eagles Fort Campbell MWR’s Spectacular Saturday, Fort Campbell put together a massive static display of vehicles and equipment for kids and their families to explore.

As I arrived at the field ambulance, 4 year old Brooklyn Blaylock was tied into a stretcher and along with a crew of young people with two soldier closely supervising and subtly lending a firm hand, they carried her around and then loaded her into the back of the field ambulance. Her face as they latched the stretcher into the back of the vehicle was priceless. When they brought her out again her mother helped her back into her wheelchair, as another child lay down on the stretcher to take their turn.

 Brooklyn Blaylock is strapped to a stretcher at the 2014 Week of the Eagles Static displays
Brooklyn Blaylock is strapped to a stretcher at the 2014 Week of the Eagles Static displays

I asked her what she thought about the experience, ā€œI think it was scary getting put into the ambulance,ā€ she said. When asked if she thought if a soldier being put into the back of an ambulance would be scared to she shook her head indicating, “no,” she didn’t think that they would be scaredā€.

I asked her what she had done at the fair and she responded, “We went to the helicopter, and then went to look at some of the other vehicles in the static displays.ā€ When I asked what she thought about the fair she said, “It’s pretty good.ā€

I watched as toddlers, climbed into massive military machines including a young girl dressed in red white and blue. Two young boys were busily exploring the complexities of the Apache helicopter asked soldiers stood by to answer their every question.

A pair of brothers climbed into the back of a flatbed truck. At another vehicle

A boy peeks out the back of an APC
A boy peeks out the back of an APC

a boy dressed in orange, peeked out of the back of an APC.

A soldier dressed in civilian clothes was telling his girlfriend about the massive M93A1 chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) reconnaissance vehicle.

A very cute little girl with the polkadot bow in her hair dressed all in pink climbed up the ramp of the CH 47 helicopter. Another girl sat in the back as she pictured what it would be like to actually ride it in flight. At the Kiowa Scout chopper a young girl leaned forward pretending to flip switches on the console. When she finished she was replaced by a soldier in civilian clothes and his two female friends as he gave them a tour of the bird.

A toddler climbing up the aft ramp of a CH47 Helicopter
A toddler climbing up the aft ramp of a CH47 Helicopter
A group of soldiers from the 320th Field Artillery
A group of soldiers from the 320th Field Artillery

I was able to events a group of soldiers from the 320th field artillery and let me get a group picture in front of their weapon system.

The 101st CAB bulldog placidly sat in the shade next to the soldier who was keeping a watchful eye on him. The crew of the HH 60 M medevac chopper also let me get a picture in front of their bird. Specialist Veater helped the children who wanted to try out the rescue winch.

a Vietnam veteran walked from vehicle to vehicle talking with the soldiers about how the equipment and their jobs have changed over the years.

A 101st Airborne Division veteran  talks with current soldiers from the division.
A 101st Airborne Division veteran talks with current soldiers from the division.
A EOD Technician shows the kids the tricks of his trade
A EOD Technician shows the kids the tricks of his trade

Fort Campbell’s EOD detachment was on hand showing off both the remotely operated vehicle and the bomb suit worn by them in the field. I took the controls of the robot and attempted to pick up a foam hand grenade, but I wasn’t nearly as good as the two young boys who tried their hand at it shortly before I did.

A nearby tent presented a wide variety of military rifles and other weapons. Kids were laying down on the grass peeking through scopes. A young boy struggled as he pulled back the charging handle on the Mark 19 grenade machine gun. A soldier in a cowboy hat his face painted demonstrated several of the weapons to his young wife and daughter. A soldier in a Gillie suit let several of the children try on his stringy hat.

Everyone seemed to be having a great time checking out the vehicles and equipment at the static displays.

This is the first of three stories from the events on Saturday

Included below is a photo gallery of pictures from the event.

Photo Gallery

Bill Larson
Bill Larson
Bill Larson isĀ  is politically and socially active in the community. Bill is a member of the Friends of Dunbar Cave. You can reach him via telephone at 931-249-0043 or via the email address below.
RELATED ARTICLES

Latest Articles