Military Appreciation Day at the Minnesota State Fair

Sam Mathiowetz, an equipment repairman at Lock and Dam 1 in Minneapolis, demonstrates how a lock on the nation’s inland waterway system works to one of the young visitors to stop by our booth at the Minnesota State Fair’s Military Appreciation Day on August 27, 2013. Our lock model was a hit with all ages, whether it was the kid that wanted to play with the boat or the adult that’s taken his recreation craft through one of the full size facilities on the Mississippi River.

Pulling off Military Appreciation Day at the Minnesota State Fair isn’t an easy affair, but Mike McGarvey, chief of logistics, and Angie Phipps, equal employment opportunity specialist are two valued St. Paul District employees who optioned to work in the 95-plus degree heat and humidity to tell the Corps of Engineers’ story to the public. Other district employees, not pictured, that were on hand to help were Capt. Andy Maxa, Sam Mathiowwtz, Brad Labadie and Patrick Moes.

Sam Mathiowetz, an equipment repairman at Lock and Dam 1 in Minneapolis, demonstrates how a lock on the nation’s inland waterway system works to one of the young visitors to stop by our booth at the Minnesota State Fair’s Military Appreciation Day on August 27, 2013. Our lock model was a hit with all ages, whether it was the kid that wanted to play with the boat or the adult that’s taken his recreation craft through one of the full size facilities on the Mississippi River.

Brad Labadie, a park ranger from Eau Galle Recreation Area, near Spring Valley, Wis., escorted Seamoor the Water Safety Serpent around the fairgrounds during Military Appreciation Day at the Minnesota State Fair on August 27, 2013. Seamoor does a good job of getting everyone’s attention while Labadie talks about water safety and the importance of wearing your life jacket.