There appears in the annals of military legend an event of such great significance and universal moment as to warrant re-telling at any conclave of professional soldiers eager to know the experiences of other warriors faced with a seemingly insurmountable obstacle.

The time is night. The stars are dimmed by low hanging clouds and the moon is in its first quarter. Somewhere in the sprawling of woods of Grafenwohr, Germany, men and their tanks stand ready. The culmination of many months of training and preparation is about to take place. The targets are set. The range is clear. Suddenly the tranquility of a mild Bavarian night is shattered by the fury and rage of 105MM guns. The Combat Arm of Decision is in the fore now. The bulwark of ground offensive force displays its awesome power of destruction.

Now there appears in this scene of blazing guns a distinguished observer; a man whose combat experience and professionalism have earned him a place in the senior ranks of military leaders. A Brigadier General has come to see the tanks in action. But all is not well. The Brigadier General keenly observes that on this night, when Nature's available light is scarce, no measures have been taken to provide an adequate artificial lighting system to illuminate the range. A few lanterns lie carelessly scattered about, but these offer little help.

Where is the light? Where are the generators and cables and lamps that might provide an adequate means of seeing? Where is the ingenuity that is supposed to exist in the mind of junior officers? Where is the spirit of Thomas Alva Edison? These questions are put to Majors by Colonels, to Captains by Majors, to First Lieutenants by Captains, and finally to Second Lieutenants who have nobody at all to put them to. But the questions go unanswered and the night stays dimly lit, relieved only by the coming of day.

A year has passed since that night of darkness and guns; a year of much soul searching and concentrated thought. Many men have toiled for long hours in search of a way to overcome this most serious dilemma. And now, in this Spring of 1968, a way has been found. The final solution to the lighting question is at hand.

The BG Jones Emergency Lighting kit will stand forever as an example of American fortitude and creativity. Let no officer ever claim that he cannot light a battlefield artificially. The BG Jones Emergency Lighting Kit must serve as a constant reminder to future generations of bumbling Lieutenants that light can exist where there is no source, that the American military mind can overcome any obstacle, and finally that the life of Thomas Alva Edison was not lived in vain.