As a soldier in the Army, I tend to be skeptical about most things, but not ghosts. When I first came to Ft. Irwin, I noticed that while in the field we were required to salute a certain mountain - The Grizzly. I couldn't understand why, so I asked one day. That's when I heard the story of Colonel Hamby.

He was the regimental commander of the elite OPFOR unit here on Irwin. He used to drive his hummer to the top of the grizzly and watch the OPFOR fight the 'battles'. He took great pride in his troopers. One day, according to the newspapers, there was an accident and while trying to save an injured trooper, the Colonel was crushed to death by a vehicle. He was well loved by his soldiers, who erected a monument to him at the top of The Grizzly. Every now and again his call-sign broadcasts over the radio, or people will see a 'Colonel' near The Grizzly. They say that he still sits up on the mountain watching his regiment and watching over his troopers. If you want to know more about him, look up Colonel Hamby in newspaper archives or call Ft. Irwin.

Submitted from: California, USA