FORT SILL, Okla., Oct. 5, 2017 -- The Lawton-Fort Sill community celebrated its unique relationship of support, co-operation and friendship during the 36th Annual Buffalo Burger Cookout, Sept. 23, at Co-Op Park on post. The free event was open to the public and it featured music, games for children, information booths by sponsors, and a traditional picnic fare prepared by post leaders.
About 1,000 people attended the four-hour event, which was co-sponsored by Family, Morale, Welfare and Recreation (FMWR) and the Lawton-Fort Sill Co-Op Program, and supported by numerous sponsors.
"We work closely with the post and we are keenly aware of what their needs are," said Debra Welch, Lawton-Fort Sill Chamber of Commerce president and CEO. "The families that move here are always going to be welcomed, and they will have fun."
Children flocked to two inflatable bounce houses; while many were content listening to the sounds of the 77th Army Band's rock ensemble "Centerfire."
Of course the big draw was the food, and FMWR was prepared to serve about 3,000 grilled burgers along with chips and drinks, said Staff Sgt. Reginald Warren, 3rd Battalion, 6th Air Defense Artillery, who assisted with the coordination of the event.
"We started at 4:30 this morning and are making sure everything is going right," said Warren, at about noon.
Command teams from all five Fort Sill brigades and leaders from tenant agencies working in shifts began food preparation about 9 a.m. in anticipation of the opening at 11 a.m.
Leaders also worked the serving line.
Col. Samuel Curtis, Fort Sill Garrison commander; and Jamie Southerland, Lawton-Fort Sill Chamber of Commerce vice president, kept busy handing out drinks. Nearby, Command Sgt. Maj. Jonathan Lutgens, Garrison CSM, placed fixins on burgers.
Dozens of volunteers from FMWR and the military and civilian communities ran the activities to ensure the event was a success.
Dea Schmidt, Fort Sill Suicide Prevention Program manager, was busy ensuring all the picnic tables had collapsible flying discs, which featured the Army crisis hotline, as well as passing out neoprene drink-sleeves.
Logan Ralston, FMWR Commercial Sponsorship and Advertising Account executive, described the cookout as an event that instills good community relations. He said sponsor support was critical in making it a successful cookout.
"This is a great event for the Lawton-Fort Sill community to come together," Ralston said, "I'd like to thank all the sponsors for their tremendous support."
Retired 1st Sgt. Matt Brown, Edward Jones Investments financial adviser, manned a sponsor booth. He said he was getting a lot of interest.
"People are asking about what type of services we provide, and what type of investments we offer," said Brown.
Other sponsors included the Lawton-Fort Sill Co-Op, USAA, First Command financial services, Sprint communications, Fort Sill Federal Credit Union, Storage 'R' Us, Elgin Cryo Therapy, Coca-Cola, Hilton Garden Inn, and Fleetway car sales.
Social Sharing