Lone Star MVPA - Hutto Cold War Display

Event:	Hutto Cold War Display
Date:	8 through 10 November 2007
Location:	Hutto, Texas
Description:	Hutto ISD puts on Veterans Day programs in all their schools each year, and it was requested that we again put on a display for the kids. This was set for the Friday the 9th, since the 11th was a Sunday this year. Due to the commitments of members to other events, we only had the Cold War display again this time. On Thursday, John SS, Jeff L, Ward B, and Rory C began putting together the camo net, the largest one put up to date. This is a lot of work for four guys who are no longer spring chickens and steady progress was made, but it looked like being a long evening, finishing in the dark. The day was saved when school let out. Rory’s kids arrived with a couple of their friends and Jane, and in short order the huge camo nets were up over John SS’ M820 with M832 trailer, Jeff’s M35A2 with M105 trailer, Rory’s Unimog, and Jeff’s debut vehicle, a Chenowth FAV. A couple of command post tents were erected and the rest of the display set up. Thursday night John SS, John C, Jeff and Rory slept in the encampment for security. Early Friday morning Mitch C, and John S arrived to join the crew, and all was ready when the first kids showed up at 7:50am. From then on, a constant stream of elementary school students came through the display and were given information about military life in general as well as the equipment on display. Approximately 900 students came through the display. With six people running it this year (all of whom were veterans themselves), things went well, and a good program was provided. Claude V showed up and brought a .50 BMG and tripod to set up. An element to this years display was a Soldiers’ Cross memorial to 1st Lt Kile West, US Army. Lt West was a 2001 graduate of Hutto HS, and was serving in Iraq leading a Bradley Scout platoon. He was promoted to 1st Lt the morning of May 28th this year. That afternoon, as he returned from a patrol, he was notified of a US helicopter downed nearby. He led his troops on a rescue mission and was killed by an IED. Kile’s mum spent some time with us during the day, and told us more of this fine young soldier who was her son. We old veterans deemed it important to pay tribute to one of our fallen brethren, I’m glad we did. Later in the evening after everyone left, the crew sat down to a well earned break. In good company we ate our rations (no Grill Sgt on this event unfortunately), had great conversation and settled down for the night, most sleeping in the encampment overnight. Early on Saturday, Danny K arrived and the process of striking the encampment began. Everything was taken down, folded up and loaded into the trucks in pretty good time, despite the winds and rain. At least everything got a good rinse! Multiple military uniforms were loaned by LSMVPA members and others to the elementary school for display inside. The High School had a Veterans Hall of Honour for students’ family members who served. A special thanks to our non-member volunteers including Emilia and Andy, for their help with the display, and to David K and Debbie W of Hutto ISD for working so hard on providing a great Veteran’s Day program each year. The high school very kindly provided skid-o-cans nearby; these were much appreciated by all.

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		1LT Kile West