By Julie Gerke
County fairs are as American as apple pie, so it makes sense for the Morgan County Fair to honor military veterans and active-duty soldiers.
But that honor will take a new form this year, when the fair and WW2 Armor host a “Salute the Troops” event July 10, complete with four military tanks, a speaker, and chance for people to get up close with the big machines.
“It’s really neat to watch them doing all their maneuvers (turns, spins, increased speeds, etc.),” said Gary Hadden, fair board president. “At the finale, they will fire off blank rounds so people can get the magnitude of what it sounds and looks like when a tank shoots off a round. … I think, from the general public’s standpoint, most people haven’t seen that. It’s a very unique and amazing experience.”
The tanks are part of a collection owned by Rabbi Rob Thomas of Jacksonville, managing director of WW2 Armor, a Florida-based historical education group. Hadden and Thomas knew each other from school, and started talking about a fair event that would be different. After some back and forth, the tank idea was born as a way to make an educational event for people of all ages.
“We want parents to bring their kids to see these important pieces of history,” Hadden said.
A lot of details are still be worked out, including the types of tanks that will be displayed. One thing is certain, however: The adult gate admission of $5 (free for kids 6 and younger) will include admission to the tank show. Proceeds from donation buckets will be given to Land of Lincoln Honor Flight.
Tyler Aring, a retired Army sergeant who works for AgriSompo NA, has been working with Hadden and Thomas since late fall. “I think it’s something unique,” he said. “It’s exciting. Most people in Small Town USA don’t have the experience of what we’re bringing.”
As planned, the show will start with a gathering in the fair pavilion, with introductions and a speaker tying the importance of education and public awareness to the support of retired and active military.
At that point, the south pavilion doors will open so the crowd can inspect the exterior of the tanks, take photos and talk to the crews. Heading back inside and then to the grandstand, show-goers will be able to watch the tanks fire up and conduct maneuvers.
Aring has been meeting with military recruiters, service organizations and the Veterans Administration to make sure all area veterans are aware of the show. Interested veterans can register at www.themorgancountyfair.com, providing their name, address, branch of service, number attending, and whether they will need assistance with parking or getting to or from the pavilion and grandstand*.
Hadden has been involved with the fair for a long time and is “always looking for different things to bring to the fair to draw people’s interest,” he said. Military service “is something near and dear to us to make sure we recognize the veterans for everything they’ve done in the past and current.”
The tank show, which will replace the rodeo, is “something extremely unique,” Hadden said, pointing out the show can go on even if it rains, since the audience can be in the pavilion or in the grandstand.
Click on the three lines at the top right of the Morgan County Fair home page; then click on “entertainment,” then “grandstand,” then “Salute the Troops.”
