|
I'm going to put it this way. EVERYBODY has their "WEIRD" hobbies. So what if MINE is putting on a 70 year old uniform and equipment, which I have invested hundreds or thousands of dollars of MY money into, and hang out at airshows believing I am adding "atmosphere", but in reality ENJOYING THE HELL out of myself with other like minded individuals while seeing aircraft we revere, or, alternately running about the woods playing war, and believing I am getting a better understanding of something I wasn't around for: i.e.:reenacting history. Maybe YOUR hobby is buying little pieces of gummed paper with pretty pictures on them, and getting all excited when there is a mistake on them, especially having spent a lot of money on something someone else may consider a waste of time, or chasing butterflies with a net, while other people look at askance towards you.
If you haven't been a reenactor, then you are only seeing one side of the coin. BUT STOP PUTTING REENACTORS DOWN FOR THEIR HOBBY. If it ain't for you- fine. But everyone has their hobbies, so get over yourselves, you stuffed shirt perfect people who consider reenactors nothing more than overgrown children. There are actually people who ENJOY the reenactors being there. They call it "Living History" Sure- anyone can look at a uniform and equipment hanging in a museum on a mannequin, but seeing the shovels being used, the uniforms on breathing people, etc. actually adds to the experience. And wearing the uniforms, carrying the equipment, handling the weapons- well, that gives the reenactor/living historian an appreciation for the fact that these guys dealt with stuff we've never encountered in our modern society. How many of you fine critics of reenactors have gotten up at o-dark-thirty wearing the same wool uniform you lay down in, pulled on a cold pair of leather double-buckle boots, and tried to warm yourself up after crawling out of a two-man pup tent on a cold September morning by walking around trying to find coffee, while the only noise in the world is the rest of the forest waking up? Nylon/Cotton BDU's and ABU's just don't have the same feeling- especially after two or three days. And then you put on your field gear- hard canvas and buckles holding a good deal of what you have with you, a belt filled with 8 round clips(yes- the Garand uses a Clip- not a Magazine) of ammo, and marching off to see what the day brings. Not quite the same as putting on LBE, or the latest greatest offered by the lowest bidder. How about trying to reload an M-1 Garand under pressure, and catching a case of "M-1 Thumb" where the bolt slams home on your opposing digit? That won't happen with an M-16 or M-4.(Release the slide and tap the assist 3 times, and say "There's no place like home, there's no place like home!) Experiences, however diluted by reality, you cannot get in the military today- period.(Do not take this as me spouting against the military- I am very proud of them, and of my service, though I readily admit I never did anything even remotely of importance when I was in...)
This is not playing soldier- I had that in the military. this is experiencing a recreation of history. You want to see a BS reenactment mentality? Join a USARNG Signal Unit sometime- talk about petty BS. I went Cavalry later, and it was high speed- low drag for sure.
And you know what strikes me? The guys with the planes, flying around, playing Peter Pilot, lord of the skies, admired by the men of lesser stature on the ground, desired by all the women around them, flying in their very expensive machines from WWII, well, THEY ARE DOING THE VERY SAME THING- Except their uniform and equipment cost a LOT more. Period. Same Thing. You want to fly as fast as a Mustang? GET A CITATION JET. You want to do loops, Immelmans, aerobatics? Go get an Extra... You want to fly a big, four engine aircraft? Go get a Boeing 747 and your ATP. But if you want to fly in WWII era aircraft, and enjoy them, and show them off- Guess What Buddy- YOU are a REENACTOR- like it or not- So get over it.
Quit all this bickering about how YOU look down on reenactors because YOU think they are just big children playing army because they are afraid to go into the real military: Many would like to, but can't due to physical impairment or old injury. Many ARE current military or VETS(I am now a "vet") and ALL are interested in HISTORY. (When I got into the hobby, we had WWII vets running around in the woods WITH us- now most of them who still attend events only stay out of the field because they are no longer physically capable- Are you gonna call those people we call "Original Cast Members" overgrown children and such?)YOU , who owns , flies, or maintains a WWII airframe are just as much a REENACTOR as those of us with old military vehicles, and who wear uniforms and "play army" Your "moral superiority" because you are not a reenactor is bogus. And so is that attitude. Get over yourselves- If you are going to put down the reenactment community, then I recommend you sell the shiny or pretty airplane, and go buy some artwork, so you can be a condescending snob in an area that needs more of them. Maybe a Degas, Chagall, or something, and you can go pick on people who buy prints of fine works because they can't afford the real thing.
If you can't tell, I'm kinda disgusted with this whole thread- I am a reenactor, have been since the early 1980s, and I am an aviation enthusiast, PILOT, A&P mechanic, and military vehicle owner. I have restored cars, trucks, and antique radios. These are MY hobbies- What are YOURS?
It comes down to Coke or Pepsi. If you don't like reenactors, fine. But shut up about it. I'm sick of the negative waves, Moriarity...
Scott/aka Robbie
_________________
1942 Dodge WC-51 Weapons Carrier
I am a reenactor, have been since the early 1980s, and I am an aviation enthusiast, PILOT, A&P mechanic, and military vehicle owner. I have restored cars, trucks, and antique radios. These are MY hobbies- What are YOURS?.
|
Login
Register
FAQ
Search
