Reenactors gear up for day of remembrance

The WWII Commemorative Day will feature equipment and vehicles, and will give examples of what soldier's lives were like during the 1940s.

By JOY DAVIS-PLATT

© St. Petersburg Times, published August 4, 2000

BUSHNELL -- On Saturday, the third annual World War II Commemorative Day will be at the Dade Battlefield State Historic Site in Bushnell.

Park manager Barbara Roberts said last year's event drew about 300 visitors, but she hopes to double or triple that number this year.

This year marks the 59th anniversary of America's entry into a war considered to be the most important war of the 20th century, Roberts said.

Brian Kepner is organizing about 40 World War II reenactors and members of the Military Vehicle Preservation Association for the event.

"The whole idea of the event is to educate people," said Kepner, who has been a reenactor for two decades. "We use men in uniform and authentic weaponry to show people what things were like back then."

Living history encampments with tents, vehicles and other period military equipment will give visitors a glimpse into the life of a soldier in the 1940s.

Reenactors and vehicle collectors from around the state will participate in the event. Also, the Sumter County Veteran's Service Office and local veterans groups will attend.

The event is particularly interesting to those who lived during the World War II era, Kepner said, but many younger visitors want to learn about the period as well.

Often, he said, World War II veterans will bring their families to share what things were like during their time in the service.

Many of the reenactors portraying American troops are with the 3rd Infantry Reenactor's Division of the 15th Regiment. Other Allied troops will be represented by re-enactors portraying British, Russian, Canadian and French soldiers of the period.

In order to provide a full picture of World War II, Kepner said some reenactors will portray German soldiers. German re-enactors will represent the 43rd Pioneer Battalion of army engineers and also the Gross Deutschland Panzer Grenadier Division.

The German reenactors represent only the common soldier who was drafted to fight in the military, said Kepner. No political views of the former Third Reich are intended by the display.

Programs including uniform and weapons demonstrations are scheduled throughout the day. Reenactors will also compete in a "most authentic G.I. and Soldier contest."

Food and drink will be available, but Roberts said the site is a perfect location for a picnic.

"This is a lovely area out here," she said. "People often come here for a special event their first time, but often they come back just for recreation."

The World War II Commemorative Day will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Dade Battlefield Historic Site on County Road 476 near Bushnell. Admission is $2 per car. For information, call (352) 793-4781.

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