We were honored to cook for Troop A 1-113 Cavalry RECON this weekend. We were asked to cook their "Biennial Dinning In" by a good friend Rob who is the First Sergeant of the troop. There was to be about 90 men who were described as big eaters and they were. So we were excited to be able to serve this mostly combat veteran group but also excited to finally load up the Kingfisher with 40 racks of ribs. Its easy to find enough people to eat 40 racks but tough to find enough people to pay for 40 racks of ribs. These guys ate them all.
The plan was to smoke 6 butts and 5 brisket Friday night at home. Then move the smoker down to Camp Dodge and smoke the ribs at the Dodge House. Frank came up from KC and Rick and his daughter Megan stopped to lend a hand as well.
During the day while hanging out letting the smoker do its thing. Frank and I
were invited down to see the shooting range. It was interesting to see where all
the noise comes from that we hear at night. Then they took us into their
simulator. A real cool setup that the military uses to practice and hone their
shooting skills. Frank and I fired M-4 rifles and Beretta hand guns in both real
life scenarios and target practice. (Frank still owes me his life for saving him
in the grocery store simulation.)
After food was served Rob invited us to stay around and watch the ceremony which included a
couple promotions and a talk by Retired Colonel Richard Johnson. The evening
really demonstrated the cavalry's discipline, respect and troops historical relevance. They made a "grog" which was a combination of alcohols and
ingredients in a wash pan. Each alcohol/ingredient represented a different war
or major contribution to society. The men then drank and toasted from the
grog the rest of the evening. To end the evening we were again humbled to be
asked to hang around and have a cigar with the men after the ceremony. Lots of
humor to go around and they also shared some stories from their days in combat
with us. Rick, Frank and I talked afterwards that we have always held the military in
the highest respect. But we have a new place in your harts for them after
sharing a cigar with the men on the porch after dinner.
