National Guard participates in field days

Photo By Sgt. Avery Cunningham | Sgt. Richard McGrail, mechanic, Delta Company, 186th Brigade Support Battalion, demonstrates pugil stick sparring at the Franklin County Field Days in Highgate, Vt., July 31, 2015. The Vermont National Guard participates at the field days to recruit and share the National Guard's mission and purpose with the community. (Photos by U.S. Army National Guard Pvt. Avery Cunningham)  

HIGHGATE, VT, UNITED STATES

07.31.2015

Story by Pvt. Avery Cunningham 

172nd Public Affairs Detachment

HIGHGATE, Vt. - The Franklin County community enjoys the field days immensely. The Franklin County Field Days is a county fair held for four days. During the four days people can enjoy rides, food, music and track events. The Vermont National Guard sets up an event to show support for the community and recruit.

"It’s a recruiting/community event, just trying to put the info out to the community, what the benefits are of joining the Vermont National Guard," said Staff. Sgt. Levi Lavalla, recruiter, Vermont National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion. "Trying to put the information out there so they at least have the option, so they know what to consider."
An inflated arena was next to the National Guard tent and table. On it, players took turns with a pugil stick, trying to push the other player off their pedestal.

"We've got the fighting ring that people can come and enjoy," said Pfc. Willard Magoon, allied trade specialist, Delta Company, 186th Brigade Support Battalion. "We have some giveaways, not really giveaways, got to do push-ups for them."

Fair goers get the chance to earn National Guard shirts, key chains and other promotional products. To earn the prizes they do push-ups.

"With the prizes, yes they get our name, but they're also giving back to us," said Lavalla. "We're trying to get them to interact with us, and have a little bit of fun."

Though it's a fun interaction between National Guard and
the public, the ultimate goal of the event is to inform and teach the community.

"Just talking to people really helps communicate and inform people about different things," said Magoon.

"It's also showing the community that we're out here to support them, that we're just not Soldiers, we're part of the community, because a lot of the time they don't see that, so its nice to get out there," said Lavalla.

The field days offer a great chance to share information, but it's also to show that the National Guard supports the community.

"It's for us to get our information out there, but it's also for the community, because there are not many events like this that you actually get to come out and interact with this large group, especially in this county, so it helps to put it out to a broader group," said Lavalla.

The National Guard has been a part of communities since 1636, helping, supporting and defending their homes. The National Guard will continue to do so for many years to come. It's events like the field days where the guard can show what they do and how they do it.

• Date Taken: 07.31.2015
• Date Posted: 08.04.2015 11:14
• Story ID: 172083
• Location: HIGHGATE, VT, US