October 6-7, 2019 Relaxing in PA, Army Heritage

October 6, 2019
Rainy Day.   We just watch TV and relax.  Anita and Beth go shopping.
Our niece Vanessa joins us for dinner.

October 7  Monday

Anita and Kevin are back at work.  We visit LA Fitness in York and then head farther north to Mechanicsburg.  Home of the US Army Heritage and Education Center and the Army War College.

Though the day is overcast, it isn't raining when we arrive, so we opt to do the outdoors part first.
This consists of a trail which goes by military equipment, housing, trenches and other related displays.

First is a group of buildings showing barracks and induction centers.

 Some of the buildings are closed, but the mess hall is open.

 Vintage posters and signs decorate the walls.  During WWII, up to 14,000 soldiers a day reported to one of 242 training centers for an 8-week basic training.

Following the trail, we pass by buildings from the revolutionary war era, the civil war and more.

 Assorted tanks, helicopters and other equipment are on display.  

 A replica of a redoubt from 1781,

 a replica of a German defense bunker

and a replica of a World War I trench system are particularly interesting.

This is the Hellcat, M18 Tank Destroyer.

Inside the Center, you are invited to pick up a dog tag to follow a soldier in some of the displays.

We tried our marksmanship at this galley - both failed miserably.

Various military ventures are discussed, including some we hadn't even heard of.  Revolutionary War, War of 1812, The Spanish-American War 1898, WWI,  Mexican Border Crisis 1916-17, Philippine Insurection 1899-1902, Chain Relief Expedition 1900-1901 as well as WWII, Cold War, Korean War, Vietnam, Desert Shield, Desert Storm.... There are write-ups about weaponry, leadership, gear, etc.

 This was a parachute simulation where you tried to steer to land on a target.

The War College is only a mile or so away, but is not open to the public.  Apparently, the US brings military from other countries here for training, as our friends who live nearby say they often see a variety of folks in foreign military garb.

We take some back roads back toward Hanover, stopping at Peters Orchard which is filled with apples, cider, pumpkins and other Fall goodies.

 Miles of orchards!

We decide to swing by a CVS and get our flu shots for this year.

Kevin and Anita bring home a big bag of cooked crabs that one of their employees shared, so we spend a while picking crabs.  Kevin made fabulous crab cakes for dinner - YUM!