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GI Joe, GI Jane for a day

May-22-2006 » Filed Under: General Military

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JOHN GILLIE; The News Tribune

For the hundreds of kids who clambered up the ramps and down the ladders, who stuck their heads out the hatches and tooted the horns of the heavy-duty armored vehicles and trucks, Fort Lewis’ Armed Forces Day celebration Saturday was a small glimpse into the life of Army warriors.

The chance to touch the cold thick armor, to peer out the gun sights and to grip the controls of the Army’s massive equipment gave them a real-world connection with the everyday television images of American soldiers on patrol in the world’s hot spots.

For 2-year-old Bobby Wood, the Armed Forces Day event was his first up-close exposure to the Stryker armored vehicles that are the standard troop transports at Fort Lewis, where his dad is stationed, said his mother, Sherry.

“My son just loves all this Army equipment,” Sherry Wood said as Bobby climbed the ramp of a Stryker medical evacuation vehicle and stationed himself on the metal bench seat inside.

Though the Woods live on Fort Lewis, the chance to jump inside the state-of-the-art Stryker vehicle comes only on ceremonial occasions such as the Armed Forces Day event.


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