The April 4 spring weather sprung a bumper crop of visitors to The Old Guard Caisson Platoon's spring open house.
During the first 90 minutes, close to 500 visitors had already walked the stable halls of the caisson, and according to Caisson Operations Staff Sgt. John Ford, a total of 1,318 people attended the six-hour open house.
"We opened the doors at noon, and we already had 150 people waiting to come in," Ford said. "Children with horses is just very natural. All kids love horses and the kids want to pet them and feed them the hay."
Inside and outside the stables, kids and moms and dads snacked on cotton candy and popcorn, took part in Easter egg rolls and hunts, spring hayrack rides, but the highlight for many was personally getting to know the caisson horses.
"The horses are my favorite," said 9-year-old Cole Thurston, who also won a medal by placing first in a Caisson egg-roll heat. Cole's parents were notified of the open house from a post on Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling's social media page.
Also among the 1,300 visitors were JBM-HH Command Sgt. Maj. Randall Woods and joint base Deputy Commander Marine Lt. Col. John Orille.
The 3d U.S. Infantry (The Old Guard) Presidential Salute Battery was also present, displaying two guns and answering visitors' questions.
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