Informative, fun events on tap for winter months
The cool desert air of autumn is arriving in fits and starts, as it does each year. Some days are warmer and others are cooler, but no one can deny that the weather is steadily growing nicer. Soon we will be wearing jackets and sweaters again!
The good news is that the temperature seems to have cooled somewhat earlier this year. I can remember, too many times, the hot temps remaining well into November, which is far too late, to my way of thinking. I’m pretty much fed up with hot weather by then.
The winter weather attracts a tremendous amount of tourism to Yuma, with the population soaring in the winter months. The Yuma community takes advantage of this by sponsoring a wide variety of events throughout the winter, with a number taking place at YPG or involving the proving ground in some way. One, in particular is solely sponsored by YPG to celebrate the base’s 75th anniversary.
U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground’s 75th birthday will be celebrated with a gala open house on Saturday, Feb. 3. The entire Yuma community is invited and, though it is impossible to predict how many people will show up, the number is bound to be substantial. Circle the date on your calendar now.
Activities will be many. These include displays of military equipment tested at the proving ground, historic exhibits, parachuting, a play area for young people, musical entertainment, food and drinks, evening fireworks, and much more. Best of all, it will cost the public nothing to attend. Keep your eyes open in future months for more details.
As part of the proving ground’s annual community relations program, YPG is either sponsoring or participating in a number of events. The proving ground had a Humvee towing an M109 howitzer in Yuma’s annual Veterans Day parade on Nov. 11 and will take part in the Silver Spur Rodeo parade next February. The Yuma County Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a Military Appreciation Day festival in downtown Yuma on March 10 at which the proving ground will have an exhibit. Likewise for the annual MCAS Yuma Air Show one week later.
In cooperation with Visit Yuma, formerly known as the Yuma Visitors Bureau, YPG is offering seven public tours this winter. All registration takes place through Visit Yuma — consult the website (www. VisitYuma.com) or give them a call at (928) 783-0071 or (800) 293-0071.
Tickets are available on the website beginning Nov. 6, but be aware that they have been snapped up quickly in past years.
Three different tours are being offered, one brand new. The perennially popular “Behind the Big Guns” tours will take place three times, each offering attendees a behind-the-scenes look at two test facilities. The “Camp Laguna” tour will highlight YPG’s World War II history and give people the unique opportunity to visit historic areas that have been off-limits to the public for decades. The “At Ease” tour is a more relaxed journey that will still offer visitors the chance to visit a unique test support facility.
YPG began offering a slate of presentations at Yuma County libraries several years ago that have proved popular among the public, typically attracting crowds ranging between 40 and 100.
The talks take place at libraries in the Foothills (10:30 a.m.) and at the main branch in downtown Yuma (3 p.m.). Following is the schedule for this year:
30 Nov.: Bill Heidner presenting “Global Positioning System Wouldn’t Exist Without YPG Testing.” When GPS was merely an idea that needed testing, YPG stepped forward. GPS testing took place at YPG for many years — the system wouldn’t exist today if not for what took place in Yuma.
7 Dec.: Chuck Wullenjohn presenting “Attack on Pearl Harbor and Tragedy on Bataan and Corregidor.” Dec. 7th is a day that lives in infamy, but for more than just the raid on Pearl Harbor. The Japanese struck a number of locations in the Pacific that day, leading to the largest surrender of American forces in the history of our nation in the Philippines.
14 Dec.: Mark Schauer presenting “Artillery Testing — The Bread and Butter of YPG’s Workload.” YPG has been America’s primary artillery and mortar tester since the early 1950’s, a mission that continues today, with tens of thousands of rounds fired each year.
25 Jan.: Bill Heidner presenting “army Cpt. William Emory — The Most Famous Explorer You Never Knew.” Most know about the explorations of Army officers Lewis and Clark, and many are aware of Brig. Gen. Zebulon Pike, for whom Pike’s Peak was named. But how many know of Capt. William Emory, who became an authority on the terrain of the western United States?
1 Feb.: Chuck Wullenjohn presenting “1850 to Today — The Army’s Impact on Yuma, Our State and the World.” The Army has been part of Yuma since 1850 and played a major role in the development of Southwest Arizona. Today, U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground tests weapon systems used by American military forces and our allies around the world.
8 Mar.: Mark Schauer presenting “YPG — Testing Military Equipment to Ensure Safety, Reliability and Effectiveness.” Yuma Proving Ground conducts a huge variety of military tests throughout the year, consisting of nearly every weapon system and munition in the ground combat arsenal. The workload directly impacts the defense of freedom around the world.
Everyone in the Yuma community is invited and each talk is free. No signups are necessary — just come!
Lastly, the final performance of the 62nd Army Band in Yuma took place this past September, meaning the band will not travel here to perform a holiday concert this year. Due to budget reductions, the band is being inactivated and the musicians are being assigned to other Army bands. Those who attended past concerts undoubtedly have fond memories of tuneful live musical excellence. Those memories will always remain.