I Survived My Mountain Climb

I was up yesterday  morning after only getting 4 hour of sleep. Had to set the alarm for 0400  and be on Fort Sill Base at 0530.  Yeah we have been on military time this week. The buses had a mix up (They are privatized) and only one showed up, but in army fashion 12 passenger vans arrived shortly to take the rest of those going on the "Jark" to the base of the mountain.

It was very foggy out so we couldn't  see the beauty and look down on Fort Sill. I walked a little slower this year and found I had a lot of company at my pace. My escort (hehehe) was a cute LT. named Clyde. He even offered his arm in a couple of rough spots. Of course I took it.

We got back down to the base of MB4 (the Jark) at 0630 and proceeded to the base hotel Allen Hall where we ate breakfast. From then on it was non-stop, We had a briefing at Snow Hall and a Q & A with Brigade Commander Col. Fant. I found that extremely interesting and learned quite a bit from it.  Of course there was the obligatory business meeting for the FA Alumni.  (Field Artillery)

After that we went to Critz Hall and surrounding area where there was a static display of all the current artillery equipment.  Either a Lt or Capt. was present to explain each piece of equipment.  We were free to climb on or get into any of it.  Flat Randy really enjoyed that and will tell you about it when he gets all of his photoes into the computer.

At Critz Hall we were served a Mermite lunch (Prepared elsewhere and brought in in containers that keep it very hot.)  The menu was chicken Cordon Bleu, corn-on-the-cob, mashed potatoes and brown gravy, lettuce salad, dinner rolls, and apple pie. The had coffee, and juice and water also and a choice of fresh fruit and energy bars. Many of us grabbed an energy bar for later in the day.

We then borded the buses for Mow-Way Forward Operating Base where we were treated to a live fire display. While not supposed to go into details I will just say in was awe-inspiring. After that people could go on the optional tour of Geronimo's grave, Medicine Bluffs and a guided tour of the forward operating base which was dedicated two years ago to one of the KIA grads of the officers school in Sill.  As I had been to these before I went back to the base hotel where we had an air-condtioned conference room complete with kitchen and bathroom and rested awhile. I had been instructed to take with me whatever I was wearing to the icebreaker dinner at Gunner's Inn that night so I cleaned up and dressed in my dinner attire which was black slacks and a killer black and white top, black shoes.

The dinner was a buffet with a western round-up theme. Menu, BBQ brisket and chicken, potato salad, beans, lettuce salad , jalepenos, rolls and warm peach or cherry cobbler for dessert. They served coffee, ice water and lemonade. There was an open bar, and kegs were free.

It was a fun evening with the grads of the Officers Candidate School from 1941-1949 who were present being honored.  The oldest attendee was a Col. who graduated with the second class to go thru the school. Class 2 of 41.  He is now almost 94 years old. He brought two sons and a grandson with him this year.

That is pretty much what transpired yesterday. Today  I will be taking part in the museum tours at Durham Hall. this afternoon, as a guide and question answerer.

Tonight is the banquet which is a formal affair. The inductees elegible to be put into the Hall of Fame for the OCS will be inducted also.

Tomorrow people will have a chance to visit the museum from 8-12 before they head home so we will be there to answer questions.

I have all next week here to relax and have a chance to see more of this area.