Photo By Sgt. Anthony Hooker | Army Reserve Spc. Nicholas Simmons helps Dale Price climb down a two-and a half-ton...... read more read more
EVANS, Ga. – Army Reserve soldiers with the 324th Expeditionary Signal Brigade joined fellow service members, veterans, military-friendly peer organizations and a wide variety of entertainers at Thunder Over Augusta May 18 at Towne Central Park in Evans, Ga. Beginning at noon, the 10-hour affair featured numerous static displays of military equipment, a 30-minute fireworks display, and top entertainers highlighted by world-renowned actor Gary Sinise and the critically acclaimed ‘Lt. Dan Band.’
Located on nearby Fort Gordon, the 324th ESB drove three military vehicles and two satellite antennas to Evans, set up a Deployable Rapid Assembly Shelter, provided an information board that explained the unit’s mission and introduced the public to the Signal Corps’ latest combat-friendly system, the Warfighter Information Network-Tactical. Frequently referred to as the WIN-T, the network provides a clear picture of operations in theater by keeping mobile forces connected, communicating and synchronized.
Spc. Nicholas Simmons, a cable systems installer with the 324th ESB, helped set up and man his unit’s static display during the event. Simmons, an Augusta native on summer break from attending Alabama A&M University, said it was his first opportunity to be involved with Thunder Over Augusta. Simmons spent most of the day lifting youngsters in and out of the vehicles, as well as describing the work life of a Signal soldier. Simmons said he didn’t know what to expect before the day started, but said he enjoyed the experience. “I didn’t know how many people have not seen the inside of a humvee,” Simmons recalled. “A lot of people simply wanted to come up, shake my hand and say ‘thank you.’ With all of the events and stuff happening out here, I wish I had brought my nieces and nephews with me ... even if I don’t work this event, I definitely plan on coming back next year.”
Created in 2009 by local businessmen to celebrate the efforts of the American military, Thunder Over Augusta has earned the title as the largest privately funded military celebration in the nation. Open and free to the public, the Columbia County Community and Leisure Services estimated that over 20,000 people came out in support of the event. Although the federal sequester made securing military equipment difficult, Donnie Thompson, one of the event’s founding fathers, said in an official release that providing extra money and work was worth any extra effort because of what the event has meant to its honorees, especially wounded warriors. “I think it means something to them to know that people come and they appreciate their service,” said Thompson. “And I think to see them and thank them and see the flags flying – it just gives you a feeling that we don’t have in this country too often.”
The open house-like atmosphere allowed soldiers and visitors the opportunity to share worlds that often don’t cross or get overlooked. Staff Sgt. Stan Buckalew, a noncommissioned officer in charge of company-level satellite communication operations, said Thunder Over Augusta does three things: allow visitors to see what we do, give junior Soldiers in the battalion a chance to see the public’s perception of them, and give soldiers a chance to meet veterans face-to-face. “Out here, you can meet Soldiers who fought in Vietnam, Korea, sometimes even World War II,” said Buckalew. “As they share their experiences with one another, soldiers begin to understand this is not about us but a 200-year plus heritage.”
On this day, Buckalew met a soldier who joined the unit just months after its creation at Fort Gordon in 1984. Marcia Corbin was a newly pinned lieutenant in the Army Reserve when she came to Fort Gordon in 1985. Although she left the 324th ESB in 1987, Corbin said the lessons she received while in the 324th raised her perception on what really goes on. ‘I was a new lieutenant, did not come from a military family, had just graduated from ROTC and came to a unit that was just beginning to form,” Corbin said. “I got to sit in on staff meetings, learn how things were financed, how soldiers would be trained ... it was a large learning curve.”
Corbin’s daughter Jessica said she was proud to know her family, specifically her parents and grandfather, has a military legacy. She said sometimes the media gives the military a bad rap and said it’s nice to see people who are proud to be in their military uniform. “I think it is really important for people to be aware of what the troops are doing and what they are using . . . there is a purpose in the equipment being used, there is logic behind all of the military’s actions.”
Buckalew said the public is surprised to know Reservists go on deployment as much as active-duty soldiers. Since 2007, over 800 324th ESB Soldiers have been on deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom, with 150 troops deployed since January of 2012.
“The public usually gets an image of a dusty soldier humping gear through a street and don’t realize the amount of technology that supports that person,” Buckalew explained. “What we do isn’t always seen, but it’s necessary for the beans and bullets to get down to the warfighter level.”
“It’s pretty interesting when you explain to visitors that we’re giving the same services that you have in the civilian world,” continued Buckalew. “The way you pay your bills, make phone calls, email to stay in touch with family and friends, run a business – we have those same tools in the Army.”
Courtney Alvis, a University of Georgia student who is a member of the Georgettes (a dance team that performs during the school’s football games), made time after her group’s performance to look at the static displays and pose for pictures with soldiers. Alvis, an Evans resident, said having the military celebrate in her neighborhood definitely impacted her view of the military. “It’s definitely interesting to see all of these different vehicles; I’m kind of like ‘Wow!’ with all of them,” Alvis said. “Obviously, they’re all important.”
“It’s great to perform on stage and have fun, but (pauses) it’s like, bigger than that. There are so many people who put themselves in harm’s way to be here. I’m definitely grateful.”
Fellow Georgette dancer and Evans native Emily Bordon echoed her teammate’s thoughts. “It’s just an honor to be able to participate in [this event] that’s celebrating so many wonderful people who have gone or are still doing work in the service,” Bordon proclaimed. “It’s incredible to be able to perform for them – I mean – it’s really awesome. [Thunder Over Augusta] is a great event. It’s just a really great thing to say ‘I’m from Augusta’ and we do this here.”
After leading the effort to coordinate static display for the 324th ESB the last two years, Buckalew said being a part of Thunder Over Augusta has made him more appreciative of his community. “The biggest thing for me personally is to see these young Soldiers interact with the public.”
| Date Taken: | 05.18.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 05.23.2013 11:04 |
| Story ID: | 107452 |
| Location: | EVANS, GA, US |
| Web Views: | 144 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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