~The FReeper Canteen Presents~ Road Trip: Fort Sill, Oklahoma ![sill1 sill1](https://images20.fotki.com/v1646/photos/5/292835/14219428/sill1-vi.jpg)
Fort Sill, Oklahoma is a United States Army post north of Lawton, Oklahoma, about 85 miles southwest of Oklahoma City.
Today, Fort Sill remains the only active Army installation of all the forts on the Southern Plains built during the Indian Wars. It is designated as a National Historic Landmark and serves as home of the United States Army Field Artillery School as well as the Marine Corps site for Field Artillery MOS school, United States Army Air Defense Artillery School, the 31st Air Defense Artillery Brigade, and the 75th Fires Brigade. Fort Sill is also one of the four locations for Army Basic Combat Training. It has played a significant role in every major American conflict since 1869. ![sill3 sill3](https://images60.fotki.com/v778/photos/5/292835/14219428/sill3-vi.png) ![sill3 sill3](https://images60.fotki.com/v778/photos/5/292835/14219428/sill3-vi.png) ![sill3 sill3](https://images60.fotki.com/v778/photos/5/292835/14219428/sill3-vi.png) ![sill3 sill3](https://images60.fotki.com/v778/photos/5/292835/14219428/sill3-vi.png) ![sill3 sill3](https://images60.fotki.com/v778/photos/5/292835/14219428/sill3-vi.png)
![sill6 sill6](https://images59.fotki.com/v1653/photos/5/292835/14219428/sill6-vi.jpg) A detachment of the United States Marine Corps, consisting of a firing battery and commanded by a colonel, is stationed at Fort Sill. Referred to as the MARDET, the detachment works with the Field Artillery School to train Marine artillerymen. Marines also serve as gunnery and fire support instructors at the Field Artillery Officer Basic Course, and as small group leaders at the Field Artillery Captains' Career Course. All Marine artillery officers attend the Field Artillery School and are trained alongside their Army Counterparts. ![sill5 sill5](https://images42.fotki.com/v1650/photos/5/292835/14219428/sill5-vi.jpg)
The 77th Army Band (Special designation: "The Pride of Fort Sill") is part of the Fires Center of Excellence. It was originally organized on 1 March 1907 at Fort Du Pont, Delaware as the 13th Band, Coast Artillery. ![sill4 sill4](https://images60.fotki.com/v120/photos/5/292835/14219428/sill4-vi.jpg)
Another special detachment is the Field Artillery Half Section, an eight-man group representative of the "flying artillery" which was drawn by a team of horses (the Half Section has eight horses all named after former commanding generals of Fort Sill) around the turn of the 20th century. The Half Section was established in 1969 to celebrate Fort Sill's Centennial. The Soldiers are volunteers for the show group, while the horses, their equipment and transportation are provided through charitable donations. The popular Half Section has appeared in regional parades, local festivities, change of command ceremonies and a presidential inauguration parade. ![sill2 sill2](https://images42.fotki.com/v1650/photos/5/292835/14219428/sill2-vi.jpg)
Learn More About Fort Sill HERE!! ![sill3 sill3](https://images60.fotki.com/v778/photos/5/292835/14219428/sill3-vi.png) ![sill3 sill3](https://images60.fotki.com/v778/photos/5/292835/14219428/sill3-vi.png) ![sill3 sill3](https://images60.fotki.com/v778/photos/5/292835/14219428/sill3-vi.png) ![sill3 sill3](https://images60.fotki.com/v778/photos/5/292835/14219428/sill3-vi.png) ![sill3 sill3](https://images60.fotki.com/v778/photos/5/292835/14219428/sill3-vi.png)
FR CANTEEN MISSION STATEMENT~Showing support and boosting the morale of our military and our allies military and the family members of the above. Honoring those who have served before.
Please remember: The Canteen is a place to honor and entertain our troops. The Canteen is family friendly. Let's have fun! We pray for your continued strength, to be strong in the face of adversity. We pray for your safety, that you will return to your families and friends soon. We pray that your hope, courage, and dignity remain unbroken, so that you may show others the way. God Bless You All ~ Today, Tomorrow and Always |