Hello happy Wednesday, time to get my walk in for #wendesdaywalk hosted by 
This 0.7 Mile track has things to see on it's interior as well as it's exterior. The interior contains a parade field which is used today to perform various military ceremonies. The exterior contains an assortment of spectacular older buildings used to house high ranking officials and provide services to the base community.
Pulling into the parking lot there is a gazebo straight ahead. Also to left of it is an older cannon and to the right is an ammunition cart. This area is used for many military ceremonies.
The carts are a remainder that this parade field use to be training grounds over 120 years ago. Before it was known as Offutt AFB is was Fort Crook. Some of the building on the exterior from that time are still standing today. Amazingly they are still used.
On the side of the gazebo is a plaque that honors the service and life of one of my military brothers. A plaque doesn't tell the whole story. I was a member of the 55 Transportation Squadron from 1994 to 2002. It is now renamed the 55th Logistics Readiness Squadron which I'm part of today. I was also deployed at the same deployed location as A1C Willis at the time of the incident. I didn't know him personally but knew of him. Let me share a little bit more about him as a further dedication of his service and life.
A1C William T. Willis was only 21 y/o at the time of his passing. He worked as a vehicle mechanic. The C-130 aircraft he was on had to make an emergency landing. The problem is it had to make a belly landing as the landing gear for the aircraft would not deploy. This caused a fire in the rear of the aircraft where he was sitting. He along with two other serviceman passed away from smoke inhalation.
Today his name is used to honor the best vehicle mechanics on a monthly basis at the vehicle maintenance section at Offutt AFB, Nebraska. Rip brother you will never be forgotten.
The parade field is much an open area today that doesn't have much of a purpose. Almost all ceremonies are conducted near the gazebo and involve the lowering and raising of the flags.
I get to the mid point of the track to see a covered shelter and inside it has some historic pictures. As you can see above this field got much use just prior and after the turn of the 20th century. It was Army post used to trained infantry and cavalry units. The last photo you can see some houses in the distance. Theses houses still stand today.
Above you will see what they may have looked like in color back than. In total there are about 20 or so of these houses on two streets. The street closest to the track is Custer street. Everyone including me refer to it as General's Row. This is the street where the highest ranking officers and civilians live on base. The other street includes more brass and bird inhabitants.
I get to the 3/4 mark on the track and there is neat tribute to all past serviceman. The seal of each of the Armed Forces branches are displayed at the ground level. In the center is a statue of a helmet, M-16 rifle, and boots. Some have made sacrifices such as spending time away from families or giving up personal time so that the many can enjoy things like these.There's are also the few who gave thier lives for the same opportunities for others to have.
Going down the last stretch of track is an old movie theatre. Constructed in 1933, I'm sure this was a very big deal for the Fort at the time. I imagine many of the soldiers took advantage of this opportunity after a day of duty. Today it is used by The USAF Heartland of America Band.
The rest of the walk contained two identical buildings. I believe one of these buildings served as a headquarters building back in it's earlier days. Today they host many different units but is primarily used for administrative duties for the base population.
Thanks for stopping by and hoped you enjoyed the walk. Take care and be safe. Enjoy the rest of the week