From Asgard to Nidavellir: the Journey of the Army’s Stryker
Commentary
In Norse mythology, Nidavellir was one of the nine realms inhabited by the gods. It was home to the greatest craftsmen, who were known for their magnificent creations for the gods. Also known as Svartalfheim, or “home of the black elves,” it was a place where mighty weapons were forged, including an unsinkable ship and Mjölnir, or Thor’s Hammer. “Nidavellir” comes from the Norse, Nid, meaning new moon; and vellir, meaning fields. Translated, Nidavellir means “fields of the new moon,” or fields of darkness.
On a dark, rainy November day, I was able to witness our modern version of Nidavellir, and watch our own skilled craftsmen assemble one of our nation’s versions of Thor’s hammer. I traveled to Alabama, to the Anniston National Army Depot (ANAD) to see the final assembly of the M-1126 Stryker family of vehicles; a vehicle the lives of men very dear to me depended upon for more than two years of combat deployment….