Post by Admin on Jun 4, 2019 20:24:24 GMT -8
From Al Gehry, who is one of the unit leaders over with Fox Co., 506th PIR, 101st Airborne (reenacted):
Why we do what we do?
I can’t answer that for everyone. I will tell you a bit about why I got into reenacting.
As a kid I was building miniatures, collecting militaria and reading tons of books on the subject of military history. I was primarily interested in World War II through the Vietnam conflict. But this has branched out to much more and different periods. This was also at the time when several movies about the Vietnam War came out. There was also a TV series (although it was kinda cheesy) that my friends and I would watch whenever it was on.
We would play “Nam” and bring out our gear, put everything on and run around in the woods hunting the bad guys with our Inertech water guns. As I got older and wiser, I started to find out about reenactment groups. I looked into them and found a hobby that really interested me. However it wasn’t about dressing up anymore. Through research and talking to other reenactors, I found it to be more than dressing the part and shooting off blanks for a weekend. It was to learn a bit of what it was like on a daily basis. Not having any experience I soon learned what it was like. At least to a certain extent. However it became more about representing a generation of people that sacrificed themselves for their country, their families and their honor.
The main purpose in reenacting is to portray the military personnel from any time period of your choice. It is your job to honor the veterans. Your authenticity in uniforms and equipment standards must be of the highest standard both in the field and in the barracks. These standards are not meant to deter prospective members, but to outline the expectations that we as reenactors have to live up to. Only by creating and maintaining such high standards in uniform, equipment, and attitude can we respectfully represent the veterans of any conflict. This is your impression.
The second most important thing to strive for is authenticity. Organizing, displaying, and wearing of personnel, equipment and presenting lifestyle and history of the military branch of your choice to accomplish this mission. If you are at an event that takes place in 1967 you should not have a laptop on your bunk. You should strive to use phrases and dialogue that would be appropriate of the time period you are portraying. You might hear someone say “That’s Farb” or “Farby” That basically means you are wearing something that is not of the period or wrong for the impression. If its an event dated in 1944 you would not have a Mitchel-pattern helmet cover. And trust me when I say that I have seen someone do that.
Then when both your impression and its overall authenticity have been accomplished you can go out and have fun. But always keep in mind what you are doing, whom you portray, and that you do it to the very best of your ability.
Your Impression, And How To Make It Authentic
Something I always suggest to people when they are starting out in the hobby is to come up with a character, a persona.
This is how you go about creating your impression. What is his name? Where is he from? What made him join the service? Have period paperwork if you can. Have your dog tags. Carry period looking pictures. I bet someone in your reenactment group is good at Photoshop. I carry a picture of my girlfriend in my helmet. I have a 40s looking picture for WWII and a 60s one as well. All these little details will add to your impression.
The next step is to do your research. Look for actual photos as reference. Never, and I mean NEVER use a film as basis for your impression. Although most films nowadays strive to be as authentic as possible there are still several mistakes. A great example is Full Metal Jacket. It is a great film but all the Marines throughout the film are wearing Army flak jackets. It is very important to not only understand what was worn, but how it was worn in combat. Strive to be accurate, not the exception.
People pose questions like “was this ammo pouch worn in WWII? I know it was produced in 1944 so if the event takes place in 1945 that means I can wear it, right?” It depends, was it in wide use in 1945 or was it not until later, in Korea for example. Look for photo reference. If you see the item in question being used in WWII and Korea its safe to say that the item was used in both conflicts. If the only pictures of it in use are from the Korean War, well that answers your question.
All of these factors help create a realistic impression. Its almost as if, (and I know this sounds lame) you are taken back in time to the period you are going to portray. Always ask yourself, did this exist back then?
From the moment I arrive at an event, I’ll make my bunk, set up my gear, footlocker, etc, and I will put all modern items away. No cell phone. No digital camera (I will put my camera in a pocket so I can take pictures at the battle but that is the only exception). All modern items are stored away and they will stay away for the duration of the event, except in an emergency of course. From the moment I arrive, its 1944 and everything will be that way until the event is over.
I have a period cooler to put food items and beer in. All food and beverage items have period labels and are made to look authentic. In the field I’ll eat C or K rations. This helps add to the experience of what it was like to be a common soldier in whatever time period it is. You shouldn’t see anyone chowing down on a Big Mac or other non-period food in the middle of an event. No tactical Taco Bell. Music is of the period. So is the radio that it is being played from. Even if the music is coming from an I-pod I will hide it within the old radio to make it look authentic.
Think of the dialogue that was used. For example, the term “motherf**er “was not used until the late fifties or sixties. It would be applicable at a Vietnam event but not WWII. If its 1944 you should not be saying to the ammo bearer, “ Yo dude! Bring me that ammo hella quick!”
By taking part in reenactment you are committing to the task of creating living history. The soldiers you will be portraying deserve to have you get it right. Your efforts should not be cheapened by half measures. It is my goal to provide a tool that will help you to reach your goals. State your sources, provide photographic proof if you can. Please don’t waste time with “My buddy says….” or ”I saw it in a movie….” or something like that. Facts and data, not stories and hearsay.
Well enough of that for now. Remember that it is a hobby that requires a lot of time, energy and money. But at the end of the day it is all worthwhile. Reenact with pride. Strive to be accurate and honor those vets. When a veteran approaches me and says ” Wow! You remind me of the guys I fought with.” That always puts a smile on my face. I know I am doing a good job.
If you guys need more tips feel free to ask. Most questions can be answered through a bit of research. Good luck, and happy reenacting.
Why we do what we do?
I can’t answer that for everyone. I will tell you a bit about why I got into reenacting.
As a kid I was building miniatures, collecting militaria and reading tons of books on the subject of military history. I was primarily interested in World War II through the Vietnam conflict. But this has branched out to much more and different periods. This was also at the time when several movies about the Vietnam War came out. There was also a TV series (although it was kinda cheesy) that my friends and I would watch whenever it was on.
We would play “Nam” and bring out our gear, put everything on and run around in the woods hunting the bad guys with our Inertech water guns. As I got older and wiser, I started to find out about reenactment groups. I looked into them and found a hobby that really interested me. However it wasn’t about dressing up anymore. Through research and talking to other reenactors, I found it to be more than dressing the part and shooting off blanks for a weekend. It was to learn a bit of what it was like on a daily basis. Not having any experience I soon learned what it was like. At least to a certain extent. However it became more about representing a generation of people that sacrificed themselves for their country, their families and their honor.
The main purpose in reenacting is to portray the military personnel from any time period of your choice. It is your job to honor the veterans. Your authenticity in uniforms and equipment standards must be of the highest standard both in the field and in the barracks. These standards are not meant to deter prospective members, but to outline the expectations that we as reenactors have to live up to. Only by creating and maintaining such high standards in uniform, equipment, and attitude can we respectfully represent the veterans of any conflict. This is your impression.
The second most important thing to strive for is authenticity. Organizing, displaying, and wearing of personnel, equipment and presenting lifestyle and history of the military branch of your choice to accomplish this mission. If you are at an event that takes place in 1967 you should not have a laptop on your bunk. You should strive to use phrases and dialogue that would be appropriate of the time period you are portraying. You might hear someone say “That’s Farb” or “Farby” That basically means you are wearing something that is not of the period or wrong for the impression. If its an event dated in 1944 you would not have a Mitchel-pattern helmet cover. And trust me when I say that I have seen someone do that.
Then when both your impression and its overall authenticity have been accomplished you can go out and have fun. But always keep in mind what you are doing, whom you portray, and that you do it to the very best of your ability.
Your Impression, And How To Make It Authentic
Something I always suggest to people when they are starting out in the hobby is to come up with a character, a persona.
This is how you go about creating your impression. What is his name? Where is he from? What made him join the service? Have period paperwork if you can. Have your dog tags. Carry period looking pictures. I bet someone in your reenactment group is good at Photoshop. I carry a picture of my girlfriend in my helmet. I have a 40s looking picture for WWII and a 60s one as well. All these little details will add to your impression.
The next step is to do your research. Look for actual photos as reference. Never, and I mean NEVER use a film as basis for your impression. Although most films nowadays strive to be as authentic as possible there are still several mistakes. A great example is Full Metal Jacket. It is a great film but all the Marines throughout the film are wearing Army flak jackets. It is very important to not only understand what was worn, but how it was worn in combat. Strive to be accurate, not the exception.
People pose questions like “was this ammo pouch worn in WWII? I know it was produced in 1944 so if the event takes place in 1945 that means I can wear it, right?” It depends, was it in wide use in 1945 or was it not until later, in Korea for example. Look for photo reference. If you see the item in question being used in WWII and Korea its safe to say that the item was used in both conflicts. If the only pictures of it in use are from the Korean War, well that answers your question.
All of these factors help create a realistic impression. Its almost as if, (and I know this sounds lame) you are taken back in time to the period you are going to portray. Always ask yourself, did this exist back then?
From the moment I arrive at an event, I’ll make my bunk, set up my gear, footlocker, etc, and I will put all modern items away. No cell phone. No digital camera (I will put my camera in a pocket so I can take pictures at the battle but that is the only exception). All modern items are stored away and they will stay away for the duration of the event, except in an emergency of course. From the moment I arrive, its 1944 and everything will be that way until the event is over.
I have a period cooler to put food items and beer in. All food and beverage items have period labels and are made to look authentic. In the field I’ll eat C or K rations. This helps add to the experience of what it was like to be a common soldier in whatever time period it is. You shouldn’t see anyone chowing down on a Big Mac or other non-period food in the middle of an event. No tactical Taco Bell. Music is of the period. So is the radio that it is being played from. Even if the music is coming from an I-pod I will hide it within the old radio to make it look authentic.
Think of the dialogue that was used. For example, the term “motherf**er “was not used until the late fifties or sixties. It would be applicable at a Vietnam event but not WWII. If its 1944 you should not be saying to the ammo bearer, “ Yo dude! Bring me that ammo hella quick!”
By taking part in reenactment you are committing to the task of creating living history. The soldiers you will be portraying deserve to have you get it right. Your efforts should not be cheapened by half measures. It is my goal to provide a tool that will help you to reach your goals. State your sources, provide photographic proof if you can. Please don’t waste time with “My buddy says….” or ”I saw it in a movie….” or something like that. Facts and data, not stories and hearsay.
Well enough of that for now. Remember that it is a hobby that requires a lot of time, energy and money. But at the end of the day it is all worthwhile. Reenact with pride. Strive to be accurate and honor those vets. When a veteran approaches me and says ” Wow! You remind me of the guys I fought with.” That always puts a smile on my face. I know I am doing a good job.
If you guys need more tips feel free to ask. Most questions can be answered through a bit of research. Good luck, and happy reenacting.