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FORT HOOD, TEXAS — Native American burial ground, open field and absolute darkness set the perfect backdrop for the Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation’s Horror Movie Night event July 11, 2025, at The Courses of Clear Creek. DFMWR chose the original 1982 version of “Poltergeist,” a supernatural horror movie where a family’s home becomes overtaken by paranormal activity.
The movie was chosen for several reasons, but mainly because of the location for the screening.
“(It’s) because of the fact the burial ground (near the driving range), the ancient burial grounds, and (the fact) the movie ‘Poltergeist’ is based off a neighborhood being built on a grave site,” said Norma Hernandez, community activities coordinator with the community recreation division, DFMWR. “And plus, it gets really dark, super dark out here. And so, we’re hoping everybody has a spooky experience, knowing those things, knowing that about The Courses of Clear Creek.”
Hernandez noted the DFMWR team also agreed the 1982 version was the best version.
The movie started once the sun went down on a huge outdoor screen, big enough to be seen throughout the field. Participants were allowed to bring their own snacks, water, juice, lawn chairs and blankets to have the full outdoor picnic and movie on the lawn vibe. The directorate also provided alcoholic beverages and light refreshments, such as nachos, popcorn and cotton candy.
Senior Airmen Connor von Becker, 9th Air Support Operations Squadron, 3rd Air Support Operations Group, tasked to the 1st Cavalry Division, was golfing while they were setting up and thought this would be perfect for a date night with his wife, Marisa von Becker.
“She was actually talking about trying to watch ‘Poltergeist’ a couple weeks ago,” he said. “So, I just saw the ad for it, and the planets aligned. I got home, was like, ‘Hey, ‘Poltergeist’ is playing, so we got 30 minutes if you want to go.’”
“I know I was listening to a podcast, and they were talking about it,” said Marisa. “I was like, ‘Man, I haven’t seen that movie in a long time.’ I was like, ‘I should rewatch it.’”
The von Beckers said they try to do a date night at least once on the weekend. Finding this movie night made it a win-win situation for them. Marisa had seen the movie countless times when she was little and thought it was great.
“It’s a great scary movie without it being too horrifying, and it’s not gory,” she said.
When told DFMWR picked this site to have the movie because of the Native American burial ground on the golf course and it being super dark on the golf course, it revitalized the spookiness of the movie.
“How close are we talking like, are we talking about like meters or like kilometers, miles?” Conner asked.
“I mean, as long as I’m not living in a house that is built on top of the cemetery, because that’s the premise of the movie, and it gets engulfed,” Marisa said, “I think we’re good, but I think this is a really nice scene to watch it with the trees behind (the screen) and the open field. I feel like this is a really nice spot.” An article from the US Army website
#fyp #usarmy #spookynight #horrormovienight #nativeamerican #nativeamericanburialgrounds #disrepectful #ancestors #texas #wtf #positivity #educational
Wow, reading about that Fort Hood 'Poltergeist' movie night really got me thinking. Screening a horror classic like 'Poltergeist' is one thing, but intentionally choosing a location near a Native American burial ground? That definitely adds a layer of eerie realism, but also sparks some serious questions about respect and cultural sensitivity. It's hard to ignore the historical context here. Native American burial grounds aren't just old fields; they're sacred sites, deeply important to indigenous cultures. The idea of using such a place for entertainment, even if it's just 'near' it, can feel deeply disrespectful. The movie 'Poltergeist' itself is about the repercussions of disturbing a 'cemetery' for profit, with a family's home built atop it. It's almost too on-the-nose, isn't it? It makes you wonder if the 'spooky experience' they aimed for inadvertently caused offense or raised significant 'cultural sensitivity concerns'. For fans of the original 1982 'Poltergeist,' the premise of a suburban home built directly over ancient graves is unsettling enough. Imagine watching that unfold on a 'large outdoor screen' in a completely dark field, knowing there's a real burial ground nearby. It amplifies the fear, sure, but at what cost? While the article mentions attendees like the von Beckers found it a good date night, the question of 'how close are we talking?' shows even they felt that unsettling proximity. It’s a delicate balance between creating an immersive experience and crossing a line. I've always loved outdoor movie nights – the communal vibe, the blankets, grabbing a snack from a 'food truck' (like the 'Drink Machine' mentioned, perfect for 'ordering drinks'). These elements usually make for a perfect evening. But this particular location choice introduces a complex ethical dilemma. Is the thrill of a 'spooky night' worth potentially disregarding the sacredness of a place? In my opinion, event organizers have a responsibility to consider the cultural impact of their choices. There are so many ways to create a terrifyingly fun atmosphere without treading on hallowed ground. Perhaps future events could focus on other elements to create that eerie feeling – historical buildings with ghost stories, abandoned theme parks, or even just a well-decorated, secluded area. The goal should be to enhance the experience respectfully, ensuring everyone can enjoy the scare without feeling uneasy about the underlying context. This story is a powerful reminder that sometimes, the real-world implications of our entertainment choices are far scarier than any movie monster.
