Spirit of America rehearsals

By Tarah Jackson, Photo Editor, Belvoir EagleAugust 21, 2014

Medic
1 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Spc. William VanGilder, 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) medic, keeps watch over fallen Soldiers during a Spirit of America rehearsal, Aug. 14, in the former Post Exchange building. Spirit of America presents the true story of troops who ha... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Set Up
2 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers from the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) set up displays in the former Post Exchange building during rehearsal Aug. 14 for Spirit of America, a live performance that presents the history and development of the U.S. Army from its o... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Narrator
3 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – During rehearsal Aug. 14 for Spirit of America, Spc. Sean Hackshaw, 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) team leader, narrates the story of Medal of Honor recipient Sgt. James W. Robinson Jr., a Vietnam War hero who was killed in combat after n... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Rehearsal
4 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Pvt. Lestat Acol-Newgen, 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) rifleman, keeps watch during a D-Day scene during rehearsal Aug. 14 for Spirit of America, a live performance that presents the history and development of the U.S. Army from its orig... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Fort Belvoir, Va. (Aug 21, 2014) - From Vietnam's Army greens to World War II's combat khaki, Soldiers from the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) dressed in era-appropriate military attire to rehearse for Spirit of America, one of the Army's largest community outreach programs designed to increase awareness of the Army's rich heritage. Spirit of America presents the true story of troops who have left friends and Families behind to protect and defend the United States of America. It is a live performance where the history of the nation will come to life through historical reenactments, musical entertainment and military drill.

Making use of the space in the former Post Exchange building, Soldiers used props and set up displays for Spirit of America rehearsals which lasts until the production goes on the road in September to Albany, New York, Boston and Hershey, Pa. The show uses more than 300 active-duty Soldiers from the U.S. Army Military District of Washington to participate in the performance.

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