By: Nicholas Tamas-Orlandea
From Sept. 30 to Oct 1., I spent my weekend at the Midway Village Museum, which is in Rockford, IL.
I took part as an American soldier in one of the largest World War II reenactments in the Midwest. I have participating in this hobby for well over a year and have learned so much from the reenactment.
According to captain Robert “Bob” Blecke, a reenactment is “a chance to walk in their shoes, to test yourself in ways short of lethal, and share that with those who will never have that experience.”
Adam Bednar, a friend of mine in the reenactment community, has been doing this for 15 years and describes it as a “360 degree living history.”
Bednar said he thinks it involves so many different emotions when learning about the past.
“To truly understand concepts in primary sources, it is best to experience them first-hand,” said Bednar. “Some of the things you would find when you step into one of these events are the many different camps.”
In the open fields, where the re-enactment is located, you will find displays for both sides of World War II. Reenactors dress in the uniform worn by the army or unit they portray.
Other details seen on display at a unit’s camp are the tents, which is what a soldier would have had with them during that era.
Everything you see in the reenactment is either an original or a reproduction, but all of it is meant to be portrayed as accurate as possible to teach the public about history.
You will also watch reenactors cooking different meals that were eaten by the army during the 1940s.
My favorite part of the reenactment was showcasing a battle scene. Many of the reenactors were battling each other with pyrotechnics, which are fake explosions, in the background.
The reenactors also used rifles to fire blanks rather than actual bullets.
Medics were involved to provide help for the “wounded.” Vehicles like jeeps and tanks drove out on the battlefield.
This was truly a memorable event and it is one that people can learn their history from if you traveled back in time!
To learn more about the reenactment, visit here.
