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Wisconsin Guard raises visibility at open house

June 22, 2023 //
Vaughn R. Larson, Department of Military Affairs
- Wisconsin Department of Military
Visitors flock to a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter after it landed at Warner Park in Madison, Wis., as part of the Wisconsin Army National Guard’s open house June 3. Several stations were set up throughout the park, to include: a climbing wall and faux axe throw lane from the Recruiting and Retention Battalion; a HEMMT recovery truck display and hoist demonstration; a Stryker recon vehicle; a mobile military kitchen serving made-from-scratch maple bacon donuts; a booth by the Service Members Support Division; a display by the 54th Civil Support Team, to include a Talon IV unmanned robot; the 132nd Army Band’s “Cover Fire” rock ensemble; and other military vehicle and equipment displays. The event drew an estimated 450 people. Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs photo by Vaughn R. Larson

MADISON, Wis. — An estimated 450 people got a closer look at the Wisconsin Army National Guard during a warm Saturday June 3 at Warner Park.

The inaugural event was an open house of sorts to reacquaint the public with the Wisconsin Army National Guard, and it went very well according to the event’s organizer.

“We were able to showcase some of the latest National Guard equipment and connect with community members and leaders,” said Lt. Col. Seth Kaste, commander of the Wisconsin National Guard’s 54th Civil Support Team and former commander of the Wisconsin Army National Guard’s Recruiting and Retention Battalion.

Visitors registered for a chance to win various prizes by completing a checklist of stations set up throughout the park. Stations included a rock-climbing wall, vehicle displays, an Army Combat Fitness Test demonstration, an Army field kitchen unit which made maple bacon donuts from scratch, a demonstration of the 54th Civil Support Team’s Talon IV unmanned robot, an ice cream booth manned by the Service Member Support Division, a performance by the 132nd Army Band and a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter arrival.

- Wisconsin Department of Military
Members of the 3561st Quartermaster Platoon serve up made-from-scratch maple bacon donuts prepared in a mobile kitchen truck during the Wisconsin Army National Guard open house, held June 3 at Warner Park in Madison, Wis. Several stations were set up throughout the park, to include: a climbing wall and faux axe throw lane from the Recruiting and Retention Battalion; a Stryker recon vehicle; a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter; a HEMMT recovery truck display and hoist demonstration; a booth by the Service Members Support Division; a display by the 54th Civil Support Team, to include a Talon IV unmanned robot; the 132nd Army Band’s “Cover Fire” rock ensemble; and other military vehicle and equipment displays. The event drew an estimated 450 people. Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs photo by Vaughn R. Larson

Kaste said the purpose of the open house was to revitalize the Wisconsin Army National Guard as the “hometown Guard,” and the state’s first military responder in times of emergency.

“Community involvement is critical to the Wisconsin Army National Guard becoming visible among the public again,” Kaste explained. “We want to continue to share the mission of Wisconsin’s hometown Guard and connect with the community. Recruiting and retention is always in the back of our minds as we have this community involvement, but we also want to share with the community what a great asset the state has in their National Guard.”

Kaste said the open house took a lot of time and effort to plan and execute, but they learned some great lessons from the first such event.

- Wisconsin Department of Military
Visitors to the Wisconsin Army National Guard’s open house at Warner Park in Madison, Wis., June 3 inspect a Stryker recon vehicle. Several stations were set up throughout the park, to include: a climbing wall and faux axe throw lane from the Recruiting and Retention Battalion; a HEMMT recovery truck display and hoist demonstration; a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter; a mobile military kitchen serving made-from-scratch maple bacon donuts; a booth by the Service Members Support Division; a display by the 54th Civil Support Team, to include a Talon IV unmanned robot; the 132nd Army Band’s “Cover Fire” rock ensemble; and other military vehicle and equipment displays. The event drew an estimated 450 people. Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs photo by Vaughn R. Larson

“We were successful in partnering with local police and fire agencies and will look to continue that, and maybe expand that in the future,” Kaste said. “We were able to communicate the event to Madison city alderman but would like to involve them earlier on in the process so they can publicize this with their constituents.”

Kaste said there was value in Wisconsin National Guard members sharing their experiences and expertise with community members.

“The community members appreciate seeing our equipment, and hearing about our experiences,” Kaste said.

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