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hbtcoveralls
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hbtcoveralls

HI Guys.

2014 is coming up. That's 70th anniversary of WWII time. I'm looking to get some insight into contacting and recruiting other Americans for commemorative events in Europe. No B.S. it's for real. Problem is that we re-enactors in the US are not well organized and have no "national" organization, that I'm aware of, since we're so spread out. I was wondering if there are any websites I'm overlooking that tend to have the ear of the US WWII community. Not looking for sites full of lurkers or airsofters or unit sites for 10 or 15 man units, but more like what the militaria forum is for US military collectors.

Tom Bowers

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hbtcoveralls
Here's our website...

 

California Historical Group which is based in So California

 

http://www.chgww2.net/

 

Leonardo

 

Thanks Leonardo, I know quite a few guys in the CHG from previous ETO excursions. Definitely a good group. Any other suggestions?

Tom Bowers

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DesertRatTom
HI Guys.

2014 is coming up. That's 70th anniversary of WWII time. I'm looking to get some insight into contacting and recruiting other Americans for commemorative events in Europe. No B.S. it's for real. Problem is that we re-enactors in the US are not well organized and have no "national" organization, that I'm aware of, since we're so spread out. I was wondering if there are any websites I'm overlooking that tend to have the ear of the US WWII community. Not looking for sites full of lurkers or airsofters or unit sites for 10 or 15 man units, but more like what the militaria forum is for US military collectors.

Tom Bowers

 

Tom,

 

You may have [or not] checked Yahoo, Google, &c. Groups. It's a PIA to go through the various engines, addressing broad inquiries, then narrowing them and weeding through the porn sites, and closed legit sites. Since you'll have cookies on, your footprint will be wide and deep. The best search method short of Linux, Ubantu or equal, is to use Firefox with AdKill, Anominizer, Proxy Hider, URL Hider, &c. activated- all are free FF Add Ons. If you can can change your MAC Address and other IDs- do it. The reason I'm suggesting this is simply folks with other than honorable intent will back engineer you location, email address (get a throw away box like Hotmail, &c. in case of hacked accounts, keep only one or two legit & heavily fire-walled accounts on it), also should you enter a 'poisoned' site or picture, you will be relatively safe from the fall out. CYA above all!

 

Should you decide to go the personal, direct contact route, check Disabled Vets, VFW, PVA and other Vets groups, they usually know of folks that re-enact. Gun Shows are recruiting ground for various eras, if it's a ACW group- ask, a lot of folks do multiple eras, or know of folks that do WWII. BTW, don't forget to contact the Dept.s of Army, Navy, &c. as they serve as clearing houses for various units, even various branch recruiters usually know of reenacting groups. The local VAs usually have a historian or three, check with Vol. Svc.s as a start; if the local VA has a historical display, the vol.s that tend to it usually know of various local groups. If time is not of the essence, offer to set up and maintain a locked case 'memorial to vets of all eras' display. If you are a Vet, belong to a Vet.s Org as an Assoc. Member, are a vol. for he Am. Red Cross (ACR), have a CCW, &c., you have speeded up the VAs vetting (on pun intended) process. Once a display appears, you may find yourself as a Museum Curator, information and contact clearing house, and general keeper of the knowledge.

 

Sorry about the length of the reply, but maybe with the shotgun approach i hit something you haven't tried.

 

Good luck, and Godspeed,

Tom

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battlebaby99

What are you thinking of planning? We of the 99th Infantry Division Historical Society of NW Pa would be intested in your ideas. We did it for CW events why can't us WW II do it also.?

 

Pat

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hbtcoveralls

Since 1999 the SecondArmored in Europe has done Armored force re-enacting events across Europe. Also since 1999 there has been a core group of American re-enactors who have flown over to participate in these events that are like nothing most American re-enactors have ever seen or done. No plans or information are in any way definate or really in any state to speculate on. But commemorative events for the 70th anniversary are going to be a reality and We (and the organizers) think that having more quality American re-enactors would be a good thing. In advance of any planning however, we're looking to find out how to reach out to more WWII GI re-enactors. Like I said, I can't think of what might be THE website or forum that most Re-enactors visit, and so I just need reccomendations of where to put out announcements and recruiting information. Just up front, I'll tell you it aint cheap or easy. But it is worth every cent and every bit of the difficulty. Most trips are 10 days or longer and you'll be living like GIs in the field. No Hotels or hot showers. Really all I can say now.

Tom Bowers

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hbtcoveralls
Any "airbase" sort of displays planned to honor the Air Corps?

 

I'm sure that there are many groups about in England who would welcome your participation in historic Airfield events that are numerous around the country. I am only looking for participants who may be interested in our Armored force events, however and have no direct information about any AAF events being planned for the 70th. Can I recommend that you check out http://wwiireenacting.co.uk/

and make introductions among fellow re-enactors in the UK who are interested in AAF. Most groups over there would be delighted to have some "Real" Americans participate with them, often on the actual ground of a WWII Airbase.

Tom Bowers

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  • 2 weeks later...

Howdy, Tom!

 

This is a good idea. I have been on two previous French tours with the UK group and had a blast each time. But, Tom is right: it's living in the field, breaking camp almost each morning, and subject to the weather. Frankly, it's exhausting but makes the experience that much more genuine. Good impressions are important as these photos get circulated across the globe. I'm sure there will be many commemoration events occurring throughout France (and perhaps elsewhere), but this groups runs a one of a kind experience.

 

I, personally, will be setting aside time and money to make the trip with this group in 2014. They haven't let me down yet.

 

Tom, if there is anything I can do to help coordinate, drop me a line!

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Thanks Tom introductions may not be needed I guess many know of us there. I'd LOVE to bring our ground crew display over.

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fordmustanggt_350

I have always thought that this was a great site ot use and to create original sets of documents.

 

http://www.hardscrabblefarm.com/ww2/index.htm

 

In some of my living history events that I have participated in I have printed these documents out and handed them out to friends and unit members. This adds to not only the "props" that you can show the public but also is fun and interesting for your fellow reenactor. One of the things I really enjoyed doing was, since I owned a jeep and many people do not drive manual cars anymore, issuing military driving permits after helping my friends learn how to drive the jeep. This was usually done after hours and was something that I wanted to do so that I was not always the one driving around but would be able to share the experience.

Just my opinion!

Kevin

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hbtcoveralls
I have always thought that this was a great site ot use and to create original sets of documents.

 

http://www.hardscrabblefarm.com/ww2/index.htm

 

In some of my living history events that I have participated in I have printed these documents out and handed them out to friends and unit members. This adds to not only the "props" that you can show the public but also is fun and interesting for your fellow reenactor. One of the things I really enjoyed doing was, since I owned a jeep and many people do not drive manual cars anymore, issuing military driving permits after helping my friends learn how to drive the jeep. This was usually done after hours and was something that I wanted to do so that I was not always the one driving around but would be able to share the experience.

Just my opinion!

Kevin

Thank you very much, I appreciate the link and I'll look into it.

Tom Bowers

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  • 2 weeks later...
battlebaby99

Add us and the Remagen Bridge event in Tidioute , Pa to ideas for this. The Allegheny Mountains can be of help to this cause.

 

Pat

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  • 2 weeks later...
  • 2 months later...

Houston Tx based group affiliated witht he MVPA. We do lots of parades and displays and some of the youn ger guys do reenactments.

We do the ground forces for the Wings Over Houston and have tons of vehicels, tensts, weapons and other gear. The website is totally redesigned

so There are some links that need to be finished.

 

6th Cavalry Historical Association

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