12 April, 2013
The New England Army Recruiting Battalion and its partners in the Army Reserve, the Natick Soldier Systems Center, the Army Medical Department, as well as, volunteers from the New England Community Advisory Board (NECAB), the Fisher House, the Association of the United States Army and Canines for Combat Vets a subsidiary of the National Education for Assistance Dog Services (NEADS) organization will participate in events slated for Patriot’s Day on the Hopkinton Common.
A variety of static and interactive displays are planned in and around high-tech portable and temperature controlled shelters provided by the Soldier Systems Center.
Like last year the public is invited to come out Sunday and Monday, April 14 and 15, to see some of the latest military technology, physical fitness training techniques, military vehicles and other displays. For the seriously motivated, there will be a chance to participate in a physical fitness challenge. Soldiers and civilian volunteers will be on hand throughout the two day period to greet anyone wishing to visit the site and to discuss in detail the featured displays. This year the military site is expected to be twice as big as it was in 2012 with the additional of another section of shelter.
On Monday, anyone wishing to keep track of the Marathon will find two large screen television monitors set up in the shelters to provide continuous coverage of the race. There will also be an opportunity for children to participate in making greeting cards to be sent to deployed service members and veterans throughout Massachusetts.
The entire community is encouraged to come out and visit this 21st century version of Patriot’s Day.
