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Show Reserve Unit Gives 'Invasion' Feeling "We're being invaded," crossed several people's minds as 52 men and 24 pieces of Army equipment rolled into Panguitch Thursday, July 19, .The ,539 Signal Company, United States Army Reserve' spent several hours crowding Tod's Truck Stop parking lot enroute to Fort Huachuca, Ariz, for several weeks of Army training and maneuvers. Second Lieutenants Gary Wilds, and Troy Perry acting commander' and executive officers said that the delay in Panguitch was due to, an engine breakdown of their tow truck near Marysvale and the unit needed to stay closer together to maintain contact. Wilds said that the Army Reserve program is similar to that of the National Guard Units, in that they meet monthly and attend summer camps and other training schedules as scheduled. The Reserve program calls or a six-month or less active duty status at the beginning of the enlistment term depending on the particular job skill the enlistee chooses. Sergeant First Class Ronald Rayles of the Cedar City Army Recruiting staff says that the reserve program is one of the best military options for the person who wants to serve his country but for one reason or another is unable to make a commitment on a full-time basis. When asked by a bystander what the reserve would expect from the snorkel type vehicles as far as fuel economy was concerned, SSgt. David Holbrook said, "we are often asked how many miles to the gallon will the trucks get? My stock answer is always, 'they just about come out even.' " The snorkel type truck was developed to ford fairly shallow rivers and streams. The truck can be almost submerged and still function. model vehicles was that they were subject to malfunction in some kinds of inclement weather. The new vehicles operate well in all forms of weather and, are. invaluable in adverse water conditions, said Lt. Wilds Panguitch people were friendly, curious and somewhat overawed by the display of military eqiupment and kept many of the Army personnel busy with dozens of questions. As the convoy pulled out, the trucks belching clouds of black smoke, one unidentified onlooker asked of one one in particular," I wonder what that smokey takeoff is costing the taxpayers." |