COAL CITY — Coal City students had a chance to take an up-close, inside look at an Army Chinook helicopter and humvees Wednesday at Coal City Middle School.

The vehicles were brought by members of the Illinois National Guard stationed in Marseilles as part of an annual visit to the district. Students in grades 2 through 12 came to the open, grassy area on the middle school's north side to check out the military vehicles and interact with National Guard personnel.

Staff Sgt. Tom Rubin, a recruiter for the Illinois National Guard, said the event is a chance for guardsmen to show off equipment and talk about their jobs and mission.