by Carissa
Republic County WIFE

June 1, 2002
Horse Creek Ranch

Farmers and ranchers provide Americans with a stable food supply. Since food is abundant year round and economically priced, you may not think much about its importance to our country’s security. We do our best to produce more than enough food knowing there will be losses to weather, disease, pest and animal damage. If we raised less, we could demand higher market prices. You wouldn’t have as many choices at the grocery store or in restaurants and you would have to pay much more for your food. Imagine spending more money, getting less food, and not having enough money left over for other purchases.

Imagine American farmers and ranchers growing fewer acres of crops and fewer head of livestock so there isn’t any excess to sell overseas. That would upset our balance of trade as we purchase food items from other countries without having something to sell them. Imagine all the countries who rely on us for food. Imagine severe crop failure or disease outbreaks in animals. Perhaps the world supply of food is reduced by disease, weather problems or intentionally destroyed. Would there be enough food for all Americans? Would other countries sell us more food to make up the difference? Then imagine other countries choosing not to sell us food they raise because of political differences. Where would we be then?

An adequate and inexpensive supply of food is necessary to the freedom of our nation. A strong defense is also necessary to maintain freedom of our people and economy. So today, June 1, I’ll learn more about national defense. Fort Riley is hosting “Pride of the Prairie” Open House for the public-at-large. I am excited to see what the Army and Fort Riley do for our nation. Their primary mission is to fight and win America’s wars.

Usually, I would be loaded down with camera equipment and notepad to gather information for a news story. At Greg’s urging, all that is left at home so I can participate in activities instead of record them. Hat and water bottle are needed since the weather forecast is hot, hot, hot. Fort Riley’s strategic location is within an hour’s drive north of Horse Creek Ranch. Arriving at Marshall Field around 8:30 a.m., a few dozen cars are already parked. Picture IDs are shown before boarding shuttle buses. Buses unload passengers at various locations so as not to overcrowd any particular demonstration site.

My group is dropped off at Artillery Parade Field with a living history mid-1800’s cavalry encampment. Established in 1853, the post provided protection of emigration and commerce along Santa Fe and Oregon Trails. While functioning as a thoroughly modern Army post, historic properties are maintained, including officers quarters once housing Lt. Col. George A. Custer. Demonstrations of equestrian skills and saber drills are scheduled. Men of Fort Riley’s Honor Guard take great pride in their service and great care of their horses.

At the weapons display, visitors are allowed to fire machine guns after basic instruction. This gives a feel for the weapon, but firing blanks doesn’t give any sense of accuracy. Everyone must wear protective gear. Lying prone among sandbags, I fire twenty rounds in no time. Proficiency requires many hours of proper handling, but firing three different weapons is enough to win me over.

After picking up little packets of sunscreen from a radio station booth, I move on to the medical display where personnel explain the various equipment and function of a field unit. The tent display includes both historic objects and modern equipment. Their medical Humvee has been used to assist civilians during severe weather conditions.

A short walk takes me to Tuttle Park. Army officers and horses that competed in the 1932 and 1936 Olympic games trained here. A course allows children to negotiate a series of obstacles en route to a final objective. Camouflage face paint was popular with both sexes up to a certain age. Then only teen girls were brave enough to sport the look. Across the road at Sturgis Field, my attention turned to the Laser Assault Course. Rifles affixed with laser sights are fired at varying distanced targets. If you are accurate and fast, the same target can be hit several times in a row. I tried single shots and three-burst rounds. Camouflage netting provided relief from the sun. Requiring an hour or so to set up, it would be a luxury not available to servicemen in combat.

Emergency and maintenance equipment on display along a shaded street allowed for close inspection. Personnel were on hand to answer questions. There were several styles of fire trucks. I had to stop and talk with the road grader operator who knew how bad roads in my county are. The post commander lives at one end of this street. At the opposite end lies the Custer House. Fort Riley follows strict guidelines for historic preservation of the old stone quarters.

There was much to do at Cavalry Parade Field. A band played on stage. I watched military dog demonstrations, spoke with recruiters and ROTC recruits. The bomb disposal display was fascinating and resulted in much discussion. I observed disposal robotics from control panel vantage point and robot in motion. Various land mines were on display. A B-1 bomber flew over, drowning out conversation. The next display featured the communications Humvee that had just made radio contact with the bomber, so I got an explanation of satellite and radio communications.

It was necessary to take a bus over to the Close Combat Tactical Trainer. Visitors could “Own the Night” trying to read maps and maneuver around obstacles at the Night Vision Demonstration. To participate in simulated battle scenarios at the Combat Battle Engagement, one first had to qualify by visiting with soldiers who explained various military vehicle functions and operations. I spent three hours talking with soldiers as I explored tanks, helicopters, rocket launchers, transport vehicles and more.

I truly enjoyed the Open House. Everyone was gracious and helpful. Mostly I came away with deep respect for our men and women in service, for their sacrifices and commitment. I also have a better understanding of the military. A strong military defense and a stable domestic food supply are necessary to national security. Our military personnel and agriculture producers deserve respect and support.