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FORT SILL, Oklahoma (June 15, 2021) – The Lawton Fort Sill community had a busy celebratory weekend June 11-14, as it recognized the Army birthday twice, honored Flag Day, and conducted an Armed Forces Day parade, which had been delayed because of the pandemic.
First on Friday, the post hosted a public Army 246th birthday celebration with an evening of artillery displays, music, and food at Prichard Field gazebo.
Col. Rhett Taylor, Fort Sill Garrison commander, welcomed the crowd.
“I couldn’t be more proud of the things our Army has accomplished over 246 years,” Taylor said. “We are part of a tradition that is older than the country we serve.”
Attendees witnessed a timeline of artillery from historic pieces to the Patriot missile and howitzers used in today’s conflicts, said Jeff Nester, Fort Sill Directorate of Museums operations officer.
“The Army has a very rich history and you can read about it or watch a movie, but it’s a lot different when you can come out and see it, and literally smell it (i.e., sulphur from cannon fire), Nester said. “You’re not going to get that out of a book.”
Soldiers manned their static displays to explain the capabilities of the hardware and to answer questions.
A popular attraction was the 761st Ordnance Company’s display of its robots, unexploded ordnance training devices, and a bomb suit. Soldiers from the unit talked to children about UXO safety, and their jobs, and let them remotely drive the robots, said Staff Sgt. Jimmy Warren, team leader. “The kids are loving it out here.”
The 77th Army Band led by Warrant Officer Richard Townes provided music throughout the hour-long event. Selections included “Field Artillery March,” “Over There,” and “America the Beautiful.”
Bassoonist Sgt. 1st Class Derek Bannasch, who is on terminal leave for retirement volunteered to perform. He conducted “Battle Hymn of the Republic” and “Hands Across the Sea.”
“This is my last concert to honor the legacy of the people who came before me, and to play one final concert with my friends,” Bannasch said.
Parade
On Saturday, the Lawton Armed Forces Day parade began downtown at C Avenue and Sixth Street at 10 a.m. This year’s theme was “Grand Ole Flag” because June 14 was Flag Day.
The parade began and ended with Fort Sill units: the Fires Center of Excellence color guard led the parade, and the Fort Sill Artillery Half Section brought up the rear.
Taylor, along with Army veteran Dr. Jack Spencer, served as co-grand marshals. The parade featured Soldiers and service members from every Fort Sill brigade and tenant unit, as well as some of their vehicles. Military units were intermixed in the parade along with floats, tractors, cars and motorcycles, from businesses, agencies, clubs, and veterans’ organizations.
Hundreds of people lined the streets to see an Avenger weapon system, Patriot missile launcher, Stryker, and much more Army hardware. Commanders marched with their respective brigades and battalions, while other leaders waved to the crowd from Humvees, including 434th Field Artillery Brigade Drill Sergeant of the Year (Staff Sgt.) Matthew Dunbar.
The parade ended at Elmer Thomas Park where static displays of Army hardware were set up with Soldiers providing information to the community.
Cake cutting
On Monday, the Fires Center of Excellence and Fort Sill command team of Maj. Gen. Ken Kamper and Command Sgt. Maj. Stephen Burnley led a cake cutting ceremony in McNair Hall.
Following Army tradition the cake was cut by Maj. Felix Kumai, 61; and Pvt. Aiden Sellers, 17, the oldest and youngest Soldiers present.
Kumai, a chaplain with 428th Field Artillery Brigade, has served for 17 years and said the Army is a great way to stay fit and serve others. Sellers is in Week 6 of basic combat training with B Battery, 1st Battalion, 31st Field Artillery.
Coming from a small town in Florida, Sellers said the job prospects weren’t too good so he decided to join the Army and serve his country. Following graduation, he will stay at Fort Sill for advanced individual training as a 13B Cannon Crewmember.
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