Re-enactments...

[KIR]

I was on another forum...yeah, I know-blasphemy and someone asked if they participated in any WWII, Korean War or Vietnam re-enactments. First of all, re-enactments make me think of playing cowboys and Indians...but for adults(?)
My next thought is why anyone would want to re-enact the horrors of war?
My next thought is why does everybody always forget about the Cuban Missile Crisis? I mean the whole world could have gone UP at anytime. While I worked 40 days/nights on 12 hour shifts, I certainly don't expect a ribbon/medal for it, but I wonder if any of the U-2 pilots got something like that? Just curious.

 

[Snake45]

Actually, it turns out that YOU are authorized a medal and ribbon for YOUR service in the Cuban Missile Crisis:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armed_Forces_Expeditionary_Medal

 

[dannyd]

Thanks for the link ^^^^^ I just saw qualified for Two more stars on mine.

 

[KIR]

WOW, hard to believe. Thanks for the info. Would have rather had someone just say, "Thanks".

 

[Mobuck]

I have mixed feelings about this subject. On one hand, re-enactments give uninformed folks a visual idea of what and how things happened. It also provides individuals who are interested in period or area important history an opportunity to participate rather than just read the history.
On the other hand, sometimes re-enactments turn into more of a circus event with too many wanting to be the General.

 

[Snake45]

WOW, hard to believe. Thanks for the info. Would have rather had someone just say, "Thanks".

Well, THANKS, then.

 

[Snake45]

I was on another forum...yeah, I know-blasphemy and someone asked if they participated in any WWII, Korean War or Vietnam re-enactments. First of all, re-enactments make me think of playing cowboys and Indians...but for adults(?)

Well, isn't that basically what Cowboy Action shooting is?

Anyone here who shoots Cowboy Action and questions the sanity, logic or sincerity of military "re-enactors" needs to do a little Reality Check.

 

[contender]

Actually,, a competition like SASS is not like a re-enactment.

Re-enacting an historical event can often give a good visual aid of history. (If done properly.) and to hear a cannon fire,, or see all the smoke etc can have an impression upon people who've never experienced such things. And lots of people truly do enjoy the study of history,, and this extends their involvement into it. (Kinda like us collectors who do display shows.)
If it gets people to understand how things actually are in war,, without the actual horrors,, it may help some try & prevent other wars. Maybe some folks who trace their ancestry find out that a former family member was in one of these battles,, and wants to see what it was like.

SASS is a competition. And within it,, often a side competition is the portrayal of the costumes. or heck,, at local matches,, just for the fun of "acting" for a day by dressing up. We take our SA handguns,, our lever action rifles,, and yes,, even our old shotguns,,, and attempt to be as fast & accurate as possible. BUT,, by dressing up to a period type of character,, we aren't wearing any special clothing that may give us an edge over other competitors.

Not a good comparison.

But all that aside,, we all have our personal interests & tastes of things we enjoy. If a re-enactment brings more people into the shooting world,, or SASS allows a person to get more involved in shooting,, I say; "Go for it!" Neither one may be for you,, but for another person, it may be very rewarding.

And KIR,, I will gladly say; "Thank you for your service." From a brother Vet.

 

[BIgMuddy]

This reply comes from a “re-enactor”. I competed in SASS competition for 23 years. It started with a love of history as well as western movies. Along the way I was introduced to a few guys who were doing old west re-enactments and I was asked if I wanted to give it a try.

I was hooked after the first event I attended. Eventually I quit the CAS shooting devoting more time to “playing cowboys for adults”. Our group, the South Fork Regulators (we’re on facebook) perform at several events, teaching history to people young and old who often know nothing about that time period. We do gunfights from actual events, western movies, and some comedy that we make up on our own. We have done education days, history “camps”, etc. teaching young children about the history of the old west. It’s amazing watching the kids faces, as well as the questions they ask showing us they are really learning. We have actually had school teachers ask us if we could explain more about the firearms. We do talk a lot about the firearms from the 1800’s and we mix in quite a bit about gun safety as well. The men and women in our group are among some of the best friends I have.

I know the original post was concerning war re-enactors. In our events we sometimes cross paths, and I can say they do an amazing job bringing history to life. They do a LOT of research and are keeping history alive for a lot of younger people who don’t seem to be getting that in schools anymore. This past fall I visited with a young man who played the part of a German soldier. He knew every detail about the equipment carried and the weapons used by the Germans in WW2. I learned a lot, and made me proud to see someone half my age so passionate about history.

So yeah, it’s playing cowboys, or soldiers, or vikings, or mountain men, etc. for adults and it’s a ton of fun.

Dan

 

[MaxMan]

Well, THANKS, then.

Yes, thanks!

 

[vito]

Here in Rockford, IL we have an annual WWII re-enactment that is very well done. Each year it alternates between the Allies defending the "village" against the oncoming Germans, or the Germans defending the "village". Simulated artillery and tanks, "soldiers" firing 45 caliber blanks from grease guns, etc. create a seemingly moderately, realistic portrayal of WWII combat. I've enjoyed some of the re-enactments and have taken grandchildren to them, much to their delight.

But for me, the best "re-enactment" was during a family visit to Fredericksburg years ago, where we encountered a very realistic looking encampment of a small group of "Confederate" soldiers. They said that they were scouts from the main rebel force and were watching the Union forces disposition. Their tents, cooking materials, weapons, clothing, etc. were all very authentic to that period and the young "re-enactors" would not allow themselves to be drawn out of character. After talking with one of them for an extended period, he turned to my oldest son (a high schooler at the time) and said that he was a student at a nearby college, doing this for the summer, and that it was the best summer of his life.

The "re-enactors" that I have a bit of concern about are those so enthralled with wearing German uniforms and imagining themselves as WWII German military. I wonder a bit about their real motivation for being involved in this way.

 

[Snake45]

I live in an area where there's a buttload of "Civil War" interest. There have been Civil War re-enactors and re-enactments around here for decades. I never had the slightest interest in any of them.

About 30 years ago they started doing a semi-large airshow in a neighboring town. I'm an "airplane guy" so I always went. The "big draw" at these airshows was always the WWII and other ex-military airplanes of the Confederate Air Force (as it was called in those pre-PC days). Part of these shows was always WWII re-enactors. They didn't fight any battles or anything--it was basically a group of hobbyists and collectors who enjoyed setting up an "authentic" camp and showing off their cool toys and costumes. These groups grew over the years, and eventually had British and German and other nations' groups represented, and, later on, Vietnam-era camps, too.

It was all great fun. The re-enactors were very generous in letting the public handle their guns and other stuff. I always took my young son Jack to these shows and I have photos of him handling all kinds of hella-cool guns. It was a GREAT positive influence on him. Today he's a Major in the USAF and a C-17 pilot, and if I were any prouder of him, I'd have to wear those astronaut diapers all the time.

Soooooo, there's that....

 

[dannyd]

Well, isn't that basically what Cowboy Action shooting is?

Anyone here who shoots Cowboy Action and questions the sanity, logic or sincerity of military "re-enactors" needs to do a little Reality Check.

Cowboy is shooting big close targets in hot clothes, plus driving 6 hours to shoot 5 minutes. Did it for 4 years that was enough for me.

I was asked to do "War Between the States" reenactment, mainly the Battle on New Market, Virginia.

I declined because it would not be a good for me to be running across a field at some Yankee's with a bayonet on a rifle. Because they did kill great grandpa and they killed my other great grandpa' horse.

 

[MaxMan]

Vito, I think from a very removed position you might have read too much into hat about the German soldiers. I hope so.

 

[KIR]

Alas, I did not take my service seriously. However, it was a time in which I gained a little maturity. I was 21 when I finished my four year hitch and it helped a little, but I did not really feel mature/responsible for my actions until I turned 32. Having the responsibility of taking care of someone else made me mature real fast. So for those who gave thanks for my service, it was only a tiny sliver of taking care of business and I in return give thanks to those who served. Those who are no longer around, are the ones we all owe thanks to. STAY SAFE out there! ...and good shootin' to ya.

 

[kmoore]

My take on the reenactments. The civil war type should replay a real battle. Out in the open where people can sit and watch. Have the encampments where people can visit and look at the old stuff.
But newer other wars, were not fought in those ways. Kind of hard to reenact tanks, planes, machine gun emplacements, mortar fire, mines, grenades etc. guys hiding in fox holes and all that goes along with battles in newer wars. I suppose if done right, it's not really a battle for people to sit and watch. Maybe fun for those playing the game? It seems silly to me.

 

[Ray Newman]

"Vito, I think from a very removed position you might have read too much into hat about the German soldiers. I hope so."
--MaxMan

I know some who are exactly what Vito wrote about. I just do not understand their fixation with the Nazis or the WW II German military.

 

[Wyandot Jim]

Guys having fun at the Big Fly-In at Oshkosh.
Why badmouth anyone that spends their money and time just to have fun ??

Not everybody wants to be a General

A well dressed Fighter Pilot.

Pilots talk with their hands

Girls can play toooooooooo. The 3 ladies spend a lot of time singing songs of the war years.

Care to dance to the Big Band Music

 

[tazbigdog]

I’ve been to French and Indian War Revolutionary War, Civil War, WWI, and WWII reenactments. As well as Primitive Rendezous. Never dressed up, always inquisitive, and looked at the vendor wares. I like them.

 

[Watertender]

I used to work with a guy who was a WW2 reenactor. He was supposed to be an Army Ranger but was more like Sad Sack or Private Doberman from the Phil Silvers show. He looked like a poorly tied grain sack at best and was as dumb as a fence post...

 

[Ray Newman]

"... but was more like Sad Sack or Private Doberman from the Phil Silvers show."

Pvt Doberman and MSgt Bilko! Now those names bring back memories. Great show. After doing my time in the USMC, I feel that every unit has a MSgt Bilko....

 

[eveled]

WOW, hard to believe. Thanks for the info. Would have rather had someone just say, "Thanks".

Thanks for everything. Sincerely thanks.