Friday, September 21^st, Fort Benning & National Infantry Museum, Sitkin Memorial Service (Cont.)

Fort Benning is the only U.S. training center for infantry and armor soldiers. Airborne troops are also trained here. Our tour guide, Ashley Woitena, of the Columbus Convention & Visitors Bureau, surprised us by arranging a combat simulation which allowed our group to experience infantry action. What a great time we had! The fellas, along with their spouses, joined in the high-speed action. Perfect scorer was a Sitkin lady, Ramah Lee Peralta!

Our Memorial Service was held outside the museum by the Dignity Memorial Vietnam Wall. The Wall traveled through 200 cities in the U.S. for 23 years and mirrored the original Vietnam Wall, located in Washington D.C. It is part of the permanent memorial to Vietnam veterans alongside the Heritage Walk at the National Infantry Museum. Our Chaplain, Mark Rucker, gave a touching sermon before reading the names of the Sitkin crew members known to have completed their Earthly cruises since we last gathered together. George Kaiser played �Taps� on his bugle and award-winning Flutist, Kathie Marson, played �Amazing Grace� on her flute.

 (click on pictures below for a larger view)