Photo By John Crosby | A young girl greets Sahara the camel at the Muscatatuck Urban Training Center open...... read more read more
BUTLERVILLE, Ind. – Muscatatuck Urban Training Center, the Indiana National Guard’s premier urban training site located in southeast Indiana, held its second annual open house, Oct. 9, to familiarize the locals in the surrounding areas to the post and its operations.
From 1920 through 2005, the Muscatatuck State Developmental Center housed many of Indiana's challenged citizens and was once the largest employer in Jennings County. Now, the facility is being used by the Indiana National Guard as a premier urban training center for military and civilian first responder personnel.
Peaking interest and inquiries as to how the military is using the former Muscatatuck State Developmental Center has led officials to the idea for an annual open house. It’s not just about explaining the loud noises, explosions and frequent helicopter traffic, which are all common to the citizens of the communities surrounding MUTC. The day highlights the new construction, ongoing training and daily operations of the facility.
The open house showcased the new renovations, improvements and additions the Indiana National Guard has implemented to the grounds since taking over operations of the historic site in 2005.
Celebrating five years of operations and growth at MUTC, the event gave a glimpse of how the military trains for today’s mission by using interactive displays, including a petting zoo featuring goats and camel, a paintball course, driving and walking tours, vehicles and weapons displays, history briefs and more. Even Miss Indiana USA Allison Biehle showed her support.
“We wanted to bring our local citizens into our facilities to show them what we’ve done here and share information with them so that the local population gets a better understand of what we’re doing and why we’re doing it,” said MUTC Site Manager Lt. Col. Dale Lyles.
More than 1,000 people showed to learn how the military is using the grounds, roughly 200 more than last year’s open house. The large turnout included curious enthusiasts, concerned citizens and military families and friends. Some present were previous employees of the old Muscatatuck State Development Center who came to see how the military is using the facilities.
“We want to let the population know that we aren’t here demolishing the heritage of this place,” said Lyles. “We are trying to preserve it while we also change the culture here and change the infrastructure to suit our needs.”
One former employee set foot on the grounds for the first time in close to 25 years. “This is the first time I’ve been back,” said Marcia Holcomb of Versailles, Ind. Holcomb taught special education to the patients of the facilities roughly 30 years ago.
“It’s been really interesting to see how the grounds have changed and just to see the old places where I used to work. People are curious. They just want to know what’s in here,” said Holcomb.
North Vernon City Police Detective Gary Driver agreed. He believes there was a general curiosity in the neighboring populace as to what the military is doing with the grounds that have been a permanent fixture of their community for closing in on a century now.
“I think that brought a lot of people here today to see what’s been going on,” said Driver. “When you actually come out here and see what’s going on and really understand what military people are doing for us, it’s really impressive. I think it’s great.”
Driver, an emergency vehicles operations instructor, taught his course at MUTC in 2005.
“I think there might have been eight or nine people stationed here back then,” said Driver. “It’s amazing to see how much this place has grown and improved.”
Lyles, who became site manger of MUTC less than a week ago, keeps an open door policy with his surrounding communities.
“I am available and receptive if there are any questions or concerns at anytime please feel free to contact me or any one of my staff,” said Lyles.
| Date Taken: | 10.09.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 10.12.2010 15:27 |
| Story ID: | 57967 |
| Location: | BUTLERVILLE, INDIANA, US |
| Web Views: | 68 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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