The AUSA Book Program was excited to be part of Army Expo ’24 on September 14-15. The magnificent weather in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, helped bring out record crowds, with over 7000 visitors throughout the course of the weekend.

Army Expo is the U.S. Army War College’s annual public outreach program. Known in previous years as Army Heritage Days, the event was significantly expanded and rebranded in 2023. This showcase of the Army’s capabilities and workforce is held on the 55 acres of the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center and is free to the public.

The 2024 program featured many crowd-pleasing events and demonstrations from active-duty units, including a parachute demonstration from the Golden Knights and a Blackhawk flyover and landing. The U.S. Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps and the 78^th Army Band provided musical entertainment (in rather different styles).

Over 300 reenactors brought to life every era of Army history. These ranged from quiet descriptions of soldier life to ground-shaking, dust-raising demonstrations of several World War II tanks climbing obstacles and firing their guns.

The future of the Army was also present inside the visitor center, with demonstrations on artificial intelligence and robot dogs walking the halls.

The Book Program was one of almost two dozen exhibitors aligning the halls of the center. Visitors both local and from across the region stopped by to learn about the full range of AUSA programs and publications. Many families were in attendance, with the older folks asking about the Army Matters podcast or perusing ARMY magazine while their kids snatched up Family Readiness coloring books and activity guides. And everyone loved the army figure stress relievers and other giveaways.

AUSA’s Carlisle Barracks and Cumberland Valley Chapter provided the perfect tag-team partner at an adjacent table. “It was really good to see such large crowds,” said chapter president Col. (ret.) Bob Hume. “Army Expo is becoming a must-see annual event. And it was great to share some information about our local chapter and how AUSA is supporting America’s Army.”

We hope to see you at next year’s event.

Please visit www.ausa.org/books to learn more about the AUSA Book Program. Use the promo code F24AUSA for select member discounts when purchasing titles directly through the publisher links.