03/01/2024
Tanks! Why tanks? To many, the word "armor" means protection, something a home inspection does because it helps protect the homeowner from surprises. Before retirement, I was an "armor officer" in the Army, somebody who would ride to battle, leading others in a tracked, armor vehicle, i.e., a "tank." I am proud of that experience and starting this business near Ft. Knox KY, where I trained on tanks and command and leadership of armor units, a place that formerly was "The Home of Armor" until the tanks were moved to Ft. Benning (now Ft. Moore); I thought this reference was great!
Most of my clients there were Army, assigned to Ft Knox, or retired military. Actually, the surrounding area is very pro-Army and most people there got the connection. Now that I am Kansas, the connection is probably not as obvious to my customers. But still, I am glad to talk “armor” with anyone. One of the projects I hope to complete soon is the construction of a diorama featuring an M-48 A5, the original Patton Tank, training near Hastings NE amidst the bunkers of the old Hastings Naval Ammunition Depot, a place I know well!
The picture has me leaning on the fender of an M-47. This particular one is located outside of the General George Patton Museum Of Leadership on Ft Knox. If you remember, He was instrumental in developing the Amy’s operational use of tanks, and later led Third Army across France after the breakout from Normandy. A battalion of his 4th Division, commanded by LTC Creighton Abrams (Yes, the US Military’s Main Battle Tank is named after him) relieved the siege of 101st Airborne at Bastogne.
