Wisconsin National Guard supports Rhythm and Booms

Wisconsin National Guard Public Affairs Office

The Wisconsin National Guard had a blast helping tens of thousands of people celebrate Independence Day weekend during the 19th annual Rhythm and Booms celebration at Madison's Warner Park July 2.

Four M119A2 towed 105-mm howitzers were on hand for hourly reports, as well as to play a role in the fireworks finale, courtesy of the Wisconsin Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 120th Field Artillery, headquartered in Wisconsin Rapids with subordinate units in Marshfield and Stevens Point. This is the first year the Wisconsin National Guard has not used ceremonial, or "salute," 105-mm howitzers for the event.

This was the first Rhythm and Booms event for Spc. Christopher Kau of Battery B, 1st Battalion, 120th Field Artillery in Stevens Point.

"The powder canisters are a little different than the [high explosive] rounds - a lot more smoke," he said, referring to the standard howitzer round fired in training and combat missions. Inert dummy rounds were on display for the public to see between hourly cannon reports.

1st Sgt. James Ward, a National Guard field artillery subject matter expert taking part in his sixth Rhythm and Booms, said he keeps coming back because he wants to see the event continue.

"We get different Soldiers to work this every year," he explained. "Keeping some continuity is important."

Ward also "conducts" the firing line during the closing of Peter Illytch Tchaikowski's "1812 Overture," played as the grand finale to what is billed as the largest fireworks show in the Midwest. Playing music as a student provided the ability to read a musical score, which is how he directs the cannons to fire in time with the composition.

But musical performances and military missions both require rehearsals, which Ward and his crew took seriously hours before the fireworks began. As the overture swelled through small speakers, Ward cued each cannon.

"Oh, you've got to be a little bit faster," he chided one cannon crew. "There are five shots in this passage - you're the first and the fifth."

The Wisconsin Army National Guard's UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter proved as popular among visitors as the cannons. Crowds thronged the aircraft shortly after it landed and powered down at Warner Park. The helicopter's crew was on hand for much of the afternoon to answer questions as children took a closer look inside the passenger section of the aircraft.

The U.S. Army's Golden Knights parachute team returned for a second year to Rhythm and Booms, performing day and night skydives from 12,500 feet overhead. Following the daylight jump, Golden Knights members coached children how to properly roll the parachutes. The Black Hawk ferried the Golden Knights back to the airport between jumps.

The Wisconsin Air National Guard's F-16 Falcons were not on hand nearly as long as the cannons or the helicopter, but their presence was certainly memorable enough. Four Falcons roared overhead in the twilight as the National Anthem reached the words "o'er the land of the free," prompting a thunderous ovation from the multitudes attending the event.

Ward admitted to one other reason he keeps coming back to support Rhythm and Booms.

"You can't get a better view of the fireworks than right there where the howitzers are," he said.