Mule tidings: Fort Sill dedicates mascots' stable life

By Jeff Crawley, Fort Sill CannoneerDecember 12, 2014

Big Deuce VI
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Grounds
2 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Right, Maj. Paul Biga, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Field Artillery executive officer,presents a canister of dirt to Loretta Sanders during the Sanders Stables dedication Dec. 4 here. The stables are named in honor of her late husband, Sgt. Maj. John Sanders, ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Mascots
3 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – From left, "Big Deuce VI," Pfc. John Lavender, "Short Round V" and Spc. Ryan Rettinger participate in the dedication of Sanders Stables Dec. 4 here. Lavender and Rettinger are field artillerymen assigned to A Battery, 2-2nd Field Artillery, with add... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Unveil
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Formation
5 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers in 2nd Battalion, 2nd Field Artillery "Big Deuce," participate in the dedication of Sanders Stables Dec. 4. The battalion helps to train field artillerymen and fires over 60,000 artillery rounds annually. Its B Battery is Fort Sill's ceremon... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Plaque
6 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A plaque explains how the late Sgt. Maj. John Sanders procured the first "Big Deuce" mascot. It is part of the 2-2nd FA monument on the Sanders Stables grounds. After Sanders retired from active duty and in 1968, he remained active in the Lawton-Fort... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Monoliths
7 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The Gray family peruses the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Field Artillery "Big Deuce" monument on the stable's grounds after the dedication Dec. 4, at Burrill and Babcock roads on Fort Sill. Three inscribed monoliths pay homage to the 2-2nd FA, the unit's masco... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Stability
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FORT SILL, Okla. (Dec. 12, 2014) -- The new stables of Fort Sill's mascots, "Big Deuce" and "Short Round" were dedicated Dec. 4, with a ceremony that honored the facility's namesake Sgt. Maj. John Sanders -- the Soldier who procured the unit's first mascot mule.

Members of the Sanders family attended the event which was hosted by 2nd Battalion, 2nd Field Artillery "Big Deuce." On the grounds, a memorial honors the heritage of 2-2nd FA, its mascots and the sergeant major.

"It's awesome," said Michael Sanders (John's son), of the facilities and memorial. He attended with his wife, Tonya. They live in Lawton.

Tonya said John would be so very proud if he were here today, but that he didn't accomplish it alone.

John's wife, Loretta starched his uniforms, polished his brass and boots and she is the unsung hero, Tonya said.

During the ceremony Loretta and Maj. Paul Biga, 2-2nd FA Battalion executive officer, unveiled a plaque dedicated to the sergeant major. Biga also presented her with a canister of dirt from the stables' groundbreaking June 10, 2013.

"He would be so thankful," Loretta said after the dedication. "This means everything to the family." She made the trip from Marlow, Okla.

"Big Deuce" is a symbol of the battalion's history which used mules to haul pack howitzers and ammunition in the Philippines in the early 1900s. His sidekick is "Short Round" a goat.

The stables, which are near Babcock and Burrill roads, are a major upgrade from the old stables which were on the training side of the post, said Sgt. Cory Leddick, A Battery, 2-2nd FA Sanders Stables noncommissioned officer in charge.

"It's very nice, it houses everything that we need for the animals, and it has easy access," Leddick said.

The grounds are much larger for the mule and goat to graze, water is piped to the stable unlike the old one where it had to be trucked in, and the stables are climate controlled, said "Big Deuce's" caretaker Pfc. John Lavender, A/2-2nd FA.

Fort Sill and the United States Military Academy are the only Army units which have live mascots, Leddick said. "It's a privilege to be a part of it, and they give a little character to ceremonies."

Capt. Zachary Quintana, A/2-2nd FA Battery commander, said having mascots makes the post unique.

"They bring something very special to Fort Sill because they are a living piece of our history," Quintana said. "'Big Deuce' has been a big part of this unit and this installation for the past 50-plus years."

Spc. Ryan Rettinger, A/2-2nd FA, is the care taker for "Short Round," whom he described as "a big dog with horns." He and Lavender are field artillerymen first, and their animal responsibilities are an extra duty.

"At work, we always do our duty day, and the leaders give us enough time to take care of the animals to give them good care," Rettinger said. "We'll also come in on weekends on our time."

Sgt. Maj. Sanders' granddaughter Amanda Hightower, and her husband, Greg Hightower, of Elgin, both work on post.

"Greg passes this (stables and memorial) everyday. It's almost unreal to see it," said Amanda, who works at the Network Enterprise Center. "I have two co-workers who took care of 'Big Deuce' when they were in the Army."

Greg remembers the sergeant major well.

"He was larger-than-life telling stories," said Greg, who works at the Mission Training Complex in information assurance. "He was one of those guys you met and you felt like you've known him forever."