__________________________

		G L
Gilbert Lodge   Since 2004

                 Gilbert Lodge Blog
         The life and times of Mark and Paula Persons

September 20, 2009:  There was an open house for the public at Camp Ripley, about 23 miles south of Brainerd, MN.  The camp is a training facility for the Minnesota National Guard and for troops from around the world.  The training is for men and women.     

Military hardware was shown off including this Paladin M109A6 Howitzer.  The name is reminiscent of the television series from the 1950's and 1960's...Paladin.  The slogan on a business card was, "Have Gun Will Travel."

We found ourselves looking down the barrel of a U.S. Army M1A1 Abrams tank with its 120 mm ( 4-3/4 inch gun).  Best to be out of the way when they fire this one.

This is an unmanned RQ-7B Shadow reconnaissance airplane. Using visual cameras and infra-red cameras, this aircraft can quickly scan a battlefield for enemy troops.

Here is Mark showing off an M60 machine gun in a Humvee vehicle.  Mark remembers the gun from the Vietnam War.

Once a soldier and always a soldier true to the flag.

There was a parade of about 600 motorcycles. 

Great stuff to see up close.

Some 1396 people helped in attempting a Guinness world record for the longest flag line. 

Mills Fleet Farm in Brainerd donated many flags for the event.

It is that look of grim determination on Mark's face that tells how he loves his country and the flag. 

Quote of the day:  "You can never have too much red white and blue."   Mark