A valiant battle was staged at noon Saturday at Lincoln Park. After many shots were fired and bombs thrown, the strategic bridge on Cow Creek was captured by American forces and the U.S. flag was proudly unfurled.
The mock battle is staged every July 4 by Kansas Army National Guard 772 Mobility Augmentation Company, according to Capt. Mark Doud, company commander.
“It’s a tradition,” Doud said. “It’s a good recruitment tool, and a great way we can give back to the community. We’re glad to see such a good crowd turn out for it.”
He said that three soldiers were stationed on each side of Cow Creek, with a few more riding in an M 113 Armored Personnel Carrier.
“We just move down both sides of the creek until we meet our opposing force,” Doud said.
Many in the crowd followed along, and as soon as the shooting stopped, youngsters moved in to search for casings and other souvenirs.
“They never have to worry about casings lying around on the ground, because little boys pick them all up,” noted Angie Simons, Pittsburg. Her son, Blake Simons, proudly showed the bag full he had collected.
Simons said this was the second time her family has seen the mock battle.
“Blake has been talking about it since last year,” she said. “We had an opportunity to go to the lake, but decided not to, because this is what Blake has been waiting for all year.”
She added that the battle was even better this year than last.
“Last year they didn’t have that armored personnel carrier,” Simons said.
After the battle, her son and other children had an opportunity to get into the APC and were even allowed to handle and aim the 240 Bravo gun mounted on top. For safety’s sake, no live ammunition was used.
Spec. Bryan Hale answered questions, including whether or not there was much kick-back when the gun was fired.
“It doesn’t kick too much, but it gets real hot when you fire a bunch of rounds,” Hale said, adding that the 240 Bravo can also be taken off the APC and carried, or supported by a bi-pod and fired from the ground.
“Other weapons we have are the M16, the M4 and the .50 caliber,” he said.
Hale said that all the soldiers participating in the mock battle were all volunteers, donating their time on the Fourth of July.
“The community really seems to like this, and we try to put on a good show,” he said. “Next year we’ll try to do a little bit better.”
PITTSBURG —
