4A NEWS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2006
>> FAMILY WEEKEND
KU Army ROTC performs raid
Families catch a glimpse of their loved ones' lives
BY NATE MCGINNIS
The sound of a helicopter sliced through the air. A voice squawked loudly through the radio. Suddenly, a rope dropped and eight men in camouflage repelled from the air.
They formed a tight grouping and slowly crept towards a door. They paused slightly before they kicked in the door and tossed a dummy grenade. After a loud sound, the unit rushed in. The only sound was the screaming of orders to soldiers.
A few seconds passed and a soldier escorted a little girl costumed in a burqa, an all-covering dress worn by some Muslim women, out the door to safety. More time and screaming passed, and soldiers escorted a male insurgent outside of the room. The soldiers checked the man's pockets for weapons and equipment, before they arrested and led him away.
This raid could have happened several thousand miles away in Iraq, but took place inside the Military Science Building at the University of Kansas.
The scenario was a demonstration of a military operation on urban terrain, or MOUT, and was executed in front of an audience of friends and family for KU Army ROTC's family dav Saturday.
Lt. Col. William Maxcy, battalion commander for KU Army ROTC, said family day was an opportunity for families to learn about what their child's life in the military would be like.
Maxcy briefly addressed the assembled audience and highlighted the increase of ROTC involvement at the University. Maxcy said two
years ago the program had 62 cadets enrolled. That number is now up to 92.
Dan Flynn, St. Louis junior, said he had wanted to be in the Army since third or fourth grade. He was able to get a scholarship to attend the University when he enrolled in Army ROTC.
"It was the best decision I have ever made." Dan said.
Kevin Flynn, father of Dan, said he thought his son's decision was unique in part because he himself had never served in the military.
"Most people don't have the ability or desire to serve their country," Kevin said.
Not every cadet in KU ROTC is a KU student. The program has partnerships to accept students from other schools including Washburn University, Mid-America Nazarene University and Baker University for training.
Tyler Abel is a junior at Washburn University and participates in Army ROTC through the partnership program.
For Tyler, military service is a family affair. Tyler's father is also in the Army and currently serves in Iraq.
Cathy Abel, Tyler's mother, said at first she was surprised by Tyler's decision to join ROTC, particularly because he had spent so much of his life around the Army.
Tyler said he hadn't thought much about joining ROTC until his freshmen year of college. He was wondering what to do with his life, and thought about the moments when he was happiest. It was then he realized what he wanted to do.
"The Army is where my heart lied," Tyler said. "There's always that feeling of togetherness."
Kansan staff writer Nate McGinnis can be contacted at nmcginnis@ kansan.com.
— Edited by Kristen Jarboe
ARTS
Beer, music combine at Brewgrass festival
BY JACK WEINSTEIN
Beer and music make a nice combination. At least they did for many Lawrence beer enthusiasts this past weekend.
The second annual Brewgrass festival, a microbrewery and music festival, was held at Burcham Park, Second and Indiana streets, on Friday and Saturday. Seven microbreweries were on hand, and 29 bands performed for residents, KU students and visitors to Lawrence.
The band WAR headlined on Friday night and Keller Williams was the main attraction on Saturday. Local microbreweries Free State Brewing Company, 636 Massachusetts St., and 75th Street Brewery, 3512 Clinton Pkwy., represented Lawrence. Boulevard and McCoy's were on hand from Kansas City, Mo. Blind Tiger from Topeka, Flying Monkey from Merriam and Power Plant Brewery from Parkville, Mo., were in attendance.
Amanda Sellers/KANSAN
The festival was the brainchild of organizer Jessie Jackson and his friends Jeff Fortier and Micah Weichert, head brewer at 75th Street Brewery. Weichert thought Lawrence needed a microbrewery festival. Jackson, a musician and promoter, added the musical aspect.
"I'm not a big beer drinker, but I appreciate microbreweries," Jackson said. "The brewers are so passionate. To me that's awesome."
Brewing beer is more than a job, it's a labor of love, and he doesn't make much money doing it. Welchert said.
Wetchier announced Friday night that 75th Street Brewery would be separating from its parent company, KC Hops, located in Kansas City. The brewery will change its name to the 23rd Street Brewery. Weichler said that many of the beer recipes were already different than the 75th Street Brewery in Kansas City and may change some more.
"Making beer is an art form," Weichert said. "It's about blood, sweat and tears."
Jim Lyons, Boulevard district
Micah Weichert, head brewer at 75th Street Brewery talks to Ian Sponer, Lawrence junior, while pouring himself a cup of beer during the Brewgrass festival on Friday night. The event was held for the second year at Burcham Park, Second and Indiana streets.
manager for the state of Kansas, said the festival wasn't as much about publicity or exposure for Boulevard, but about being involved in the community.
"We do a tremendous amount of events in Kansas City," he said. "We try to be involved with as many events as possible."
Lisa Kennedy, Kansas City,
Mo., senior, and Josette Berryhill,
Circleville senior. won free tickets to
the festival at Lawrence.com.
Blind Tiger microbrewer John Dean said he liked to educate people about beer.
"We love talking beer, talking to people about beer and spreading the beer gospel," he said.
"We came for the beer," Kennedy said.
Jackson said he never considered having the festival anywhere else.
"This is a microbrew drinking town."
Kansan staff writer Jack Weinstein can be contacted at Jweinstein@ kansan.com.
Edited by Kate Shipley
ENTERTAINMENT
UP, UP AND AWAY; BALLOONS COLOR TOPEKA SKY AT RALLY
Jared Gab/KANSAN
The "Dreamtime" hot air balloon team of Omaha, Neb., blasts propane to lift their balloon into the air for one of many tethered rides it provided Friday evening during the 31st annual Huff'n'Puff balloon rally in Topeka. A $5 donation to Topeka's Ronald McDonald house gave spectators a 30-foot lift in one of the participating balloons.
Huff n' Puff event takes place over Lake Shawnee
BY DARLA SLIPKE
The 31st annual Huff n' Puff hot air balloon rally attracted hundreds of eager families, pilots and friends to witness and celebrate a balloon-filled, kaleidoscopic sky over Lake Shawnee in Topeka this past weekend.
Dozens of balloons were launched during the designated one-hour launch windows in the mornings and evenings. On Friday and Saturday night, pilots tethered their balloons and created a glowing effect as darkness fell by repeatedly firing the burners of their balloons.
All through the field onlookers cheered and waved as balloons climbed into the
sky and slowly shrank against the horizon.
A crowd of people circled around the checkered, multicolored balloon "Dreamtime" and watched as the pilot and crew filled it with two tons of ais. A handful of people peered up inside the balloon, which was as tall as a seven-story building. They jumped and shrieked when the pilot fired up the balloon, and a ten-foot tail flame blasted out of the burner.
Danielle Mills was a member of "Dreamtime's" crew. She has been involved since she was young and came back from school at William Jewell last weekend to help with the Toneka rally.
me and my family, she said.
Mills wasn't the only veteran, Stevan and Gretchen Ryan of Olathe have been ballooning for 28 years and have made it back to Topeka for the event every year, even when they lived in Dallas.
"The best part is all the friends we've met," Stevan Ryan said. His wife agreed.
She and her friend Marsha Mechtley sat on the tailgate of her truck knitting a baby blanket that was spread between them. The two met 25 years ago when Mechtley and her husband Ken decided to sponsor an air balloon, and have been friends ever since.
Mechtley said her favorite flight experience with the Ryans was flying over a field
of sunflowers in the morning when they were opened and facing the rising sun, and then floating over them again in the early evening when they faced west.
Ryan said his flights usually last 45 minutes to an hour and he typically travels six to 10 miles.
Mechtley said people often asked them where they're going to land, but there is no way to tell for sure. Ryan said that's part of the excitement.
"We don't know," he said. "It's wherever the wind takes us."
Kansan staff writer Darla Slipke can be contacted at dslipke@kansan.com.
Edited by Kristen Jarboe