Lacey, Wa. -  Fire engines, helicopters and police cruisers swarmed the South Sound Center parking lot July 30. Their operators stood ready to meet the task before them. As the final hour approached, excitement filled the air. The excitement did not come from battling a four-alarm fire or from a police standoff, but from the public servants' anticipation of showing off their vehicles to an eagerly awaiting crowd of children and parents during the Junior League of Olympia's Touch-A-Truck event at the South Sound Center in Lacey, Wash.

"This is a fundraiser and community service event," said Heather Emery, JLO's 2011-2012 President. "We have brought together 30 vehicles which are being staffed by their operators. We are letting the local children climb in and on the vehicles while teaching them how they work. We also have a bounce house, face painting and live music."

For JLO's most recent event, they enlisted the help of many local public servants including the Soldiers from 593rd Sustainment Brigade, Joint Based Lewis-McChord. 593rd Soldiers showed up to the event with their High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWV), in tow eagerly awaiting the chance to show them off to the pubic. Since the 593rd has adopted Olympia as part of the Community Connector program, they volunteer for as many events as possible that take place in Olympia and Thurston County.

"We are out here showing off our vehicles for the Touch-A-Truck event in support of Olympia," said Sgt. John Ross, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Special Troops Battalion, 593rd Sustainment Brigade. "We brought two of our up-armor Humvees out here today so the kids and their families can play with the trucks a bit and figure out how these things work."

As the children climbed in and out of the vehicles pretending to be Soldiers and policemen, they also learned about public servant jobs and the vehicles that they use. The volunteers took pleasure in teaching the participants about their vehicles.

"I really enjoyed helping give these kids the chance to see and play with the Humvees," added Ross. "They loved getting inside them, playing with the radios and talking to each other. It was gratifying to show the local community what we do at JBLM; because many of them don't have access to the base, so they do not know what going on at JBLM. Today's event has given them a good understanding what we actually do," added Ross.

Emery stated that JLO strives to make their community better through volunteering, and believes that events such as Touch-A-Truck brings together people who live and work in the same community through a wholesome family experience.   

 "I think it's a wonderful opportunity to provide a really wholesome family experience at low cost that brings the community together," added Emery. "It has been a great opportunity for our kids to get to know the people who help them everyday. Our volunteers range from Thurston County Sheriff Office to our friends at JBLM, as well as the local fire department. The volunteers have been doing a great job helping the kids learn about what they love, while promoting ideas about healthy communities. I am glad that we were able to do this today."

Though the 593rd Sustainment Brigade volunteers for a number of events for the City of Olympia, this is the first time that they have worked with JLO, but they hope it won't be the last.

 "We are delighted to have our JBLM neighbors come down and volunteer by showing off their vehicles," said Schmanke. "We are very proud that JBLM has given us so much support for this event. We are just absolutely thrilled to work with them on this event and hope we will strengthen our connection with them in the days to come. Also, I hope we will have many more JBLM families come join us next year. "

Many of those who attended the event have a personal connection to the military so they felt especially pleased with the amount of effort the 593rd put forth.

"Anything to support the community of Thurston County is great," said Eric Nicholson, a resident of Thurston County. "To see all these different businesses and departments that protect our neighborhood come together is huge, plus all of proceeds of the event go to helping kids. I really enjoyed the military vehicle display. My dad spent over thirty years in the military and was a very proud Soldier; so I love the military and everything they do for us."

Sam Gross, age 2, enjoys his time with a radio inside an up-armor humvee at the 593rd Sustainment Brigade vehicle display at the Junior League of Olympia's Touch-A-Truck event, Lacey Wash. July 30. Gross, along with over 1000 people took time out to view and learn about the 593rd's humvee and additional 30 other vehicles at the event. (U.S. Army photo by SPC Jarrett Branch, 5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)

Sagi Cowsert helps his son Brayden, age 3, don an Improved Ballistic Armor vest during the Junior League of Olympia's Touch-A-Truck event Lacey Wash. July 30. Soldiers from the 593rd Sustainment Brigade brought two up-armor humvees with them to show to the local community during the event,. The 593rd has adopted the City of Olympia as their community connector town and tries to volunteer for as many events as possible that take place in the City of Olympia and Thurston County. (U.S. Army photo by SPC Jarrett Branch, 5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)

Sagi Cowsert helps his wife Jenni don an Improved Ballistic Armor vest during the Junior League of Olympia's Touch-A-Truck event in Lacey, Wash, July 30. Soldiers from the 593rd Sustainment Brigade brought two, up-armor High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV), with them to show to the local community during the event. The 593rd has adopted the City of Olympia as their community connector town and tries to volunteer for as many events as possible that take place in the Olympia and Thurston County. (U.S. Army photo by SPC Jarrett Branch, 5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)