FORT SILL, Okla. -- Thousands of Soldiers, family members and friends from the Lawton-Fort Sill community came together to enjoy Fort Sill's Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation's annual Military Appreciation Family Fun Day.
The 12th annual event was at Lake Elmer Thomas Recreation Area July 12. Attendees were entertained with live music from the 77th Army Band while enjoying numerous free activities and food on the shores of the lake on a perfect Oklahoma summer day.
This day featured free use of kayaks, canoes and paddle boats, as well as free miniature golf, bounce houses, a climbing wall and more, but the highlight of the event for "motorheads," grease monkeys and lovers of chrome and horsepower was the 4th Annual "Who's the BOSS" Car Show. A stone's throw from the beach and waterslides and silhouetted by Mount Scott parked some of the toughest, loudest, fastest and most beautiful cars of the Lawton-Fort Sill community.
"There are so many great cars on post and around town," explained Sgt. Randy Todriff, A Company, 168th Brigade Support Battalion, "from 1966 Cadillacs and Mustangs to 2014 Challengers and Corvettes. It's great to get them all together with families and the community in one place, and it doesn't hurt that it supports a great cause."
The annual car show awards prizes to the top three vehicles in categories like cruiser motorcycle, import classic, "ratrod," modern domestic, best burnout and loudest stereo among a half-dozen more, as well as best in class and people's choice. However, the event's biggest winner are the single Soldiers of Fort Sill who participate in the BOSS, Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers, and those that take advantage of the program's events.
"Every year we do this to raise money for our numerous events and trips," explained Fort Sill BOSS president Spc. Dale Presley, Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 214th Fires Brigade, "but more than that, it breaks down barriers between the Soldiers of Fort Sill and the Lawton community by bringing people together to enjoy food, activities and a passion for great cars."
While the sun grew higher in the noontime sky the lake filled with families enjoying the free paddle boats and canoes to the sounds of the 77th Army Band bringing the rock. Others enjoyed a great meal free of charge while watching the band perform their magic or watching the victory dances of miniature golfers sinking incredible holes-in-one. But still more took the heat and sunshine as a signal to head across LETRA to either soak in the rays or cool off at the beach.
These beachgoers were more often than not derailed on their way by the glitter and shine of a good paint job and twinkle of chrome from an exhaust pipe or wheel at the car show. Multitudes flocked to the parking lot where they admired American muscle and foreign panache, often uttering phrases like, "this is my dream car!" whether they were gazing upon a new Corvette, a 1966 Mustang or 1971 Volkswagen.
"We organize this event for the Soldiers, families and community to come together for a big barbecue and all-around fun event," said event organizer, Master Sgt. Angel Velez. "The MWR and Lawton Chamber of Commerce and Industry come together to thank everyone for all of the hard work and dedication they give to community unity."
Many people from the Lawton-Fort Sill community put a lot of hard work into bringing the event together and ensuring it was enjoyable to all who feasted, danced, swam, paddled and played. Though these organizers did not take home trophies for their labors, they can sleep well at night knowing that their efforts were appreciated by all who attended and likely none more so than the "gearheads" who left carrying trophies smelling of grease and burning rubber.
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