WHEATON, Ill. - The grounds of the 1st Division Museum in Cantigny, Ill., hold some of the most treasured pieces of history for the 1st Infantry Division.
These grounds also played host to about 11,000 Boy Scouts for a recent Scout-O-Rama event and Military Appreciation Day May 15, where a contingent of Soldiers from Fort Riley and Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., had the chance to show off some of the militaries latest weapons, vehicles and equipment.
The Soldiers traveled to Wheaton, Ill., as part of a partnership with the 1st Division Museum. The items and equipment put on display included an M1151 Humvee, Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle, an unmanned aerial vehicle, M1117 Armored Security Vehicle, mine detectors, sniper weapons systems and even a military working dog.
Throughout the day Soldiers had the chance to interact with Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts and visitors who wanted a closer look at their displays.
"We are having a great time. The kids are enjoying themselves; we're seeing a lot of different things here," said Chris Janis, Cub Scout Pack 204, Lombard, Ill. "The kids love the tanks, they love holding the guns and checking things out."
Though the event is held annually, this was the first time the 1st Inf. Div. had the chance to provide support for the event. Leaders hoped support provided will give members of the community a chance to experience something they don't normally see.
"Our biggest goal here today is to have the Soldiers have a positive interaction with the public," said Gayln Piper, 1st Division Museum public programs manager.
"There is no major Army installation in the (area) so we are happy to have them hosted (at the 1st Division Museum) and facilitate the interaction between the public and the Soldier because this may be the only time that some of these people meet a Soldier."
The experience was not only a positive one for the museum and the scouts in attendance, it also was a chance for Soldiers of the "Big Red One" to take a break from their normal duties and enjoy showing the scouts what Army life is all about.
"Our unit has been and still is in the field during this event, so getting the chance to come out and represent the 1st Inf. Div., a division I have served with in combat, is a great opportunity," said Staff Sgt. Travis Miller, Troop C., 5th Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Inf. Div. "We did not know exactly what to expect coming into the event, but it has been a great experience for me, and I hope the kids who attended had just as good of an experience as I have had."
Though there were a variety of displays to sort through, for the scouts in attendance a few of the displays put on by the Big Red One Soldiers stood out above the rest.
"My favorite thing is holding the guns. It was fun to look through the scope, climbing on the vehicles was cool, too," said Calin Janis, Cub Scout with Pack 204, Lombard, Ill.
"My favorite part was getting to go inside the vehicles and the little plane was cool," said Alex Flores of the Lombard Cub Scout Pack.
Although much of the day's focus was geared toward making the event as enjoyable as possible for the kids, there also was a chance to educate the Soldiers of the 1st Inf. Div. on the importance of the site and their lineage.
"We're real happy to have the 1st Division come out and support our event," Piper said. "We have a good working relationship with them. We are the museum that represents them, so we are happy to have them come out and walk through and learn their history as well as interact with the public and shake some people's hands here today."
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