Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54 Page 55 Page 56 Page 57 Page 58 Page 59 Page 60 Page 61 Page 62 Page 63 Page 64 Page 65 Page 66 Page 67 Page 68Military Appreciation Ride-In Late Winter 2017 | 31 By Carmin Lemery VAST hosted a Military Appreciation Ride-In on Feb. 18 at the Oxbow Park in Morrisville. The weather was like a warm spring day, the trails were in excellent condition, groomed and ready for riding, the burgers were hot and the company was entertaining and inspiring. The Vermont National Guard attended, bringing with them a warming tent and a very unique military tracked snow vehicle called a S.U.S.V. (Small Unit Support Vehicle). Attendees were encouraged to participate in a push-up challenge for a chance to win a National Guard backpack. Buffalo Mountain Sports arrived with brand new Arctic Cats to test ride throughout the day. JD Green of 101 The One was on the microphone and kept us informed of the day’s events and provided us with some tunes that filled the blue sky. Thank you to Hannaford’s Supermarket for donating food to the event, snowmobile clubs of Lamoille county for cooking, Town of Morrisville for the use of the field, Morrisville Lumber, VAST staff, Perry Armstrong of Rain or Shine Tent Company, Morrisville VFW, and Morrisville Fire and Rescue for taking care of the bonfire and s’mores. We also wish to extend thanks to the Chittenden County Sheriff’s Department, Vermont State Police and Governor Phil Scott, our guest speaker for the afternoon. February 18 - Oxbow Park, Morrisville Blue Star Mothers of Vermont member Amy Connelley displays some literature on their organization that she provided for hand out. Trevor Russell, Smugglers Notch Snowmobile Club, mans the grill. Members from several Lamoille clubs operated the food tent. Mike Brown and Cyndy Jones greeted guests and handed out American flags. Entires to win a TMA for next year were collected. Aaron and Aubrey Miller had a“ball.”They met military, police, firefighters, EMS and got to sit in a groomer and the Guard’s tracked snow vehicle. Joe Rivard of Buffalo Mountian Powersports brought two new Arctic Cats for test rides. Dave Rouleau and Bobby Tower made sure everyone parked sleds and vehicles in the appropriate locations. SPC Hunter Lane and Jacob DeGuise participate in a push- up challenge sponsored by the National Guard as SGT Courtney McCullough monitors the one-minute timer. State Troopers Michael Henry, Dan Begiebing and Aaron Gilman escorted Governor Phil Scott and his wife, Diana, on police sleds to the event. JD Green of radio station 101The One was the announcer and DJ for the day and provided on-air updates. SPC Hunter Lane, SGT Jacob Mason SPC Sebastian Griffin, SFC Dave Hale, SSG Charles Hendershot and SPC William Wells arrived in the Guard’s Small Unit Support Vehicle (S.U.S.V.) (Beth Godin photos)