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21-GUN SALUTE: SERVICE THEN AND NOW Mystery Cache

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Mr.Charlie: This series has been archived. Thanks for all who visited.

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Difficulty:
1.5 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size:   small (small)

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Geocache Description:

These are NOT the coordinates for the cache. See below for how to determine the cache coordinates.


21-GUN SALUTE: SERVICE THEN AND NOW
We enjoy many freedoms and rights in this great county. Too often we do not stop and think about those who have made it possible. 21-Gun Salute is a series of five caches that will give you the opportunity to reflect; to stop and appreciate what we have and why we have it. To claim all five, you will visit 21 sites in Lake County.*

At each stop you will obtain information that will enable you to solve the four caches and ultimately the 21-GUN SALUTE. The other caches in this series are:

  • GCQJ6G: 21-Gun Salute (must be solved last)
  • GCQJ6J: 21-Gun Salute: Our Freedoms
  • GCQJ6N: 21-Gun Salute: Memorials
  • GCQJ6R: 21-Gun Salute: The Gold Star

To claim 21-GUN SALUTE: SERVICE THEN AND NOW, go to the four Lake County coordinates listed below. Here you will see places where our servicemen and women served while in the military and also where many continue to serve our nation after discharge. While there, record the information needed to find the 21-GUN SALUTE: SERVICE THEN AND NOW cache and take a few moments to give thanks to those who serve. The listed coordinates will take you to a local branch of the largest veterans organization in the country. In addition to supporting veterans, it sponsors many youth activities aimed at developing citizenship, leaders and healthy bodies.

Coordinates Information Required Your Answer
N_42_18.780
W_087_50.644
Great Lakes Naval Training Station. This is the sole remaining recruit training facility for the USN. All new recruits to our Navy will begin their service and receive their initial training here. It is also the location of a Naval Hospital.
The coordinates are for a public parking area. Use the visitor's parking entrance. From this area you will see a plane. What is the number on the nose of the plane? T =
N_42_13.013
W_087_48.968
Ft Sheridan was in operation from 1887 to 1993. It was one of the first military instillations in the Chicago area. During WWII more than 500,000 service men and women passed through its gates. Since its deactivation, community development has converted most of the base into the Town of Ft. Sheridan using the existing architecture. A fine example of military architecture is the water tower located to the southeast. There is a nice plaque with information about it. A small portion of the base is still used as a recruiting center.
The least significant digit in the year Ft. Sheridan was used to quell labor unrest. U =
N_42_22.655
W_087_51.066
Illinois National Guard Armory. This is the location of the Waukegan Armory of the Illinois National Guard. The Illinois National Guard has sent soldiers to Iraq; some are currently deployed there (Sept. 2005).
How many words are above the main door (the door facing the street)? V =
N_42_29.296
W_088_04.983
This veterans' organization provides support to veterans and the community. When you visit this site, you will see a drop off for worn flags that need to be properly retired. If you have an old, worn U.S. flag that should be retired, bring it with and place it in the drop box so it can be properly disposed.
The number that appears the most times in the organizations unit number for this site? Y =

The listed coordinates place you near the cache where you will find information required for 21-GUN SALUTE. To calculate the location of the 21-GUN SALUTE: SERVICE THEN AND NOW cache, use the numbers obtained from the four sites above:

North: Add (Y x T/100)/1000 to the minutes of the north coordinate listed for the cache.

West: Subtract (U x V)/1000 from the minutes of the west coordinate listed for the cache.

The cache is a water bottle wrapped with camo tape. Take a card that tells you the information you need to determine 'S' for 21-GUN SALUTE and sign the log. Leave only your thoughts. If you are a veteran, you may want to note where and when you served when logging your find.

These are not difficult to find, but they will take time to complete. Our hope is that the time we spent developing the caches and the time you spend seeking them will make us better appreciate our country and those who have defended it.

*The caches are located throughout Lake county. This table summarizes coordinates and requirements for all sites. It will help you simultaneously work the five caches if you so desire. Please visit each of the cache listings before you start.

Additional Hints (No hints available.)