My First Day At Fort Sill

I arrived in Lawton Saturday evening about 8:30. My daughter and husband were waiting for me. It had been a long day and I hoped for a good nights sleep.  That wasn't to be the case.  Flying usually triggers a fibromyalgia attack and I  was up and down all night with the pains. 

On Sunday we had a nice lunch at Rosa's Cantina before going to the army base.  I got a driving tour of all the new installations on base and was amazed at how much had been done since my visit here last year.  There is a lot of housing construction on base.  Fort Sill will be receiving over 10,000 new artillery trainees when the downsizing of other artillery bases goes into effect.   

After the drive around base we went to the OCS Hall of Fame Museum and took care of a number of  things that needed doing before the  reunion of OCS graduates starts on Wednesday.  It is quite moving to look around the museum and feel the presence of so many who have given so much for their country.  I spent some time in the 4 star generals room looking over the memorabelia for Gen. Tommy Frank.  He is probably the best known of the generals who went to OCS at Fort Sill. 

It is also very interesting to see the pictures of what life was like for the OCS candidates in the 40s, 50s, 60s and til the OCS school  was discontinued in 1973.  Life for the OCS candidates in the 40s was living in barracks that were  wooden sided tents. These tent homes were set up with the same precision of a military cemetery.   Now trainees have more permanent residences.

Today I will be spending more time on the base  and on errands around Lawton.  A good nights sleep has me better prepared so  Fort Sill here I come.