214th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

Story by Staff Sgt. Thomas Orme

By Staff Sgt. Nate Orme
214th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

Punxsutawney, Penn. — When can you stand outside singing songs in 14 degree weather at 3 a.m. wearing a groundhog hat and not be considered a wee bit short of a full deck? Why on Groundhog Day at Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, Penn., of course!

About 30 dedicated local Army Reserve and National Guard Soldiers came out just after midnight on the furry prognosticator's day to help local police with the expected crowd of weather pagans, partiers, community supporters and just plain curious people (no pun intended) who inevitably show up for the free early morning event, held every Feb. 2. For those in hibernation, the day springs from ancient legend that has evolved here into pulling a groundhog, known as Punxsutawney Phil, from his stump and asking him if he has seen his shadow. A "yes" nod means winter weather will carry on for six more weeks.

Like a déjà vu of the time loop theme in the 1993 movie "Groundhog Day," Army soldiers have repeatedly given an excellent support to the event for over a dozen years, said William Cooper, president of the Inner Circle, a mystical group of keepers (read: local businessmen) sworn to uphold the grand tradition of Groundhog Day, including donning top hats and tuxedos.

"They (the Soldiers) man the walkways and keep the crowd organized so we can get to the knob. They are the largest provider of manpower to handle this mass of humanity," said Cooper, scanning the crowd.

An estimated 15,000 people attended this year, according to Associated Press reports.

In return for their service, the participating Reserve and Guard units receive a donation to their Family Readiness Groups from the Groundhog Club, said Wanda Peterson, spouse of Master Sgt. Keith Peterson of the Reserve 247th Quartermaster Battalion, a unit helping at the event.

"Last year we used it to send things to our soldiers in Iraq and Kuwait. Starting with Halloween, every holiday we got together to make gifts for the soldiers," she said

We sent them Christmas and Valentine's presents. Groundhog Day was a big part of our fundraising effort," Wanda said. The 247th was deployed for Operation Iraqi Freedom for a year ending last August.

Along with helping the FRG, Sgt. 1st Class Brenda Byars of the Reserve 403rd Replacement Company said Army support helps recruiting also.

"Punxsutawney is a very non-military town, and this gives the military visibility. Every major news team is here. People come from all over. Groundhog Day has been on the Simpsons (cartoon) as well as MTV's Viva La Bam," said Byars.

Echoing the day's recruiting potential, Staff Sgt. Samuel Williams, an Army National Guard recruiter, had the Guard's own NASCAR racing vehicle brought to downtown Punxsy during the all-day groundhog festivities. Through a system called eShots, people could get a free photo beside the car.

"I take their picture, then they can go on the Internet and get information on Guard and their photo," said Williams.

Even for committed Soldiers, the event is a motivator. "We go to drill, and I don't mind that, but events like this are what I tell people about," said Spc. Richard Hicks of the 403rd.

People began to show up on the Knob as early as 2 a.m. Music, a bonfire and food service were well under way by 4 a.m. A fireworks show lit up the cold air at about 6:30 a.m.

"We're here to help with crowd support. The police are here for crowd control," explained Lt. Col. Chester Gasior, commander of the 247th, on the difference between support and control. "We can't detain or search. We don't have that authorization as Reservists."

"The Army helps with the cones, ties, poles and snowfence. They make sure no one gets on the buses with alcohol," said Inner Circle member Dr. Paul Johnston, referring to the 30 buses used to haul people up the hill from the downtown Punxsy.

Despite the best laid plans, occasionally a Soldier will get in trouble with one of Phil's "true believers." Sgt. 1st Class Drexel Parnell of the 247th, one of a handful of full-time soldiers at the local Reserve center, moved here last year.

"I've been hearing a lot about Groundhog Day. I didn't realize it was so big. It's a little bizarre that people think a groundhog can predict the next six weeks of weather and the meteorologists can't even do that."

Overhearing Parnell's doubts, a Phil fan jokingly accused him of being a "Phil hater."

Groundhog Day was first observed in Punxsy in 1887. Those early years were tough on the 'ol woodchuck, since it was actually eaten! The tradition soon became more rodent friendly, and has been held on Gobbler's Knob since 1906, about the time Phil made his first appearance in the town. Interestingly, Punxsy keeps its Christmas lights up until the day after Groundhog Day.

Every year is a guess as to how many people show up.

"We're all volunteers and we don't sell tickets, so there's no way to tell how many will come," said Cooper. "Punxsutawney gets name recognition as the 'Weather capital of the world,' but we did this in the late 1800's for the fun of it, and we do it today for the fun of it."

Next year the turnout is expected to be much larger, since it will be held on a Saturday morning, said an Inner Circle member.

Oh, yes! For the first time since 1999, Phil did not see his shadow this year, thus predicting an early spring.

Associated Images

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