Military members, families enjoy day at zoo

With "Achy Breaky Heart" blaring in the background, Northridge High band members put down their own instruments to breakdance and groove to the music of the 23rd U.S. Army rock band Friday afternoon.

The band blared music in Hogle Zoo's Main Plaza for more than 6,000 military veterans, personnel, family members and local residents to celebrate Independence Day weekend with three free admittance days at the zoo.

"This is a tradition we're going to start, to come down to military appreciation day every year at the zoo," said Melissa Durrant, who's 10- and 8-year-old daughters, Haley and Sydney, held hands and danced in front of the band on Friday. "We've been going to the zoo since I had a binkie myself."

Hogle Zoo organized the event with different military branches showing off Humvees, drill practices and equipment to express a positive image of military life and encourage youngsters to consider a military career.

Staff Sgt. Clayton Carlson, who showed children and adults a satellite radio intended to help military overseas in the Middle East communicate from a distance of 25 miles away, said the event meant a lot to the military and was a chance to bring their families to the zoo.

"And we can show that we don't all just carry guns and shoot people," Carlson said.

Lisette McEwan said her eldest children now think the military is cool and want to "find the bad guys and help the good people."

McEwan grew up in Germany and said her family had experienced World War II, when half of them were either missing in action or running from bombs. The 32-year-old South Jordan resident, who came to America to study at BYU, said she never intended to marry someone in the military, but when her husband, Joshua, joined Army aviation, she supported his decision.

"It was hard. It was a struggle for my family and myself," Joshua McEwan said. "But I know it was the right thing to do. It was good to serve."

And it was in tribute to the service of men and women like McEwan that Hogle Zoo wanted to plan a free military day, for current members and veterans, said zoo spokeswoman Holly Braithwaite.

Veterans Administration emergency management coordinator James Stritikus said events like the July 1-3 zoo days are a great thing for military personnel, especially veterans who never used to receive any benefits.

"When I came back from Vietnam, we literally got spit on. What we're getting today is a 180 degree turn," Stritikus said. "Veterans have so many more health benefits now. They just need to call us."

And when they weren't stopping at the VA booth, families toured the zoo or stopped by to witness the bald eagle Liberty soar though the sky and return to her handler. Children climbed aboard the 5-ton transport vehicles that Hill Air Force Base personnel brought to show local residents.

"It would be hard to ride in all day," said 12-year-old Eliza Wells from Sandy. "They'd get really hot and really bumpy in there. Hopefully it would be worth it."

The Northridge High marching band played in an early flag-raising ceremony, then discarded their instruments to enjoy the patriotic and country songs ringing in the air from the Army rock band.

"It's amazing," said 18-year-old Northridge trumpet player Danny Christophiades, who ran around squirting fellow band members with a water fan bottle. "We usually play at parades, but this is awesome."

E-mail: lgroves@desnews.com