The USS North Carolina (BB-55) My all-time favorite warship. As an elementary school student in North Carolina, I donated nickels and dimes to save this ship back in the early sixties.

Friday, November 13, 2015

World War II Re-enactors Preserving History-- Part 3: Of Pigeons and Cigarettes

Rich Russo says reenactors and collectors love to share their memorabilia, restored vehicles and research with the public at re-enactments and living history presentations.

In the past 21 years he has learned about everything from the role of carrier pigeons in WW II to German battle whistle commands to the different ways American and German soldiers held their cigarettes.  "It is amazing how many individuals are willing to spend their own time and money acquiring, restoring and transporting these things to events," said Russo.

This is especially tricky when it comes to 30-ton tanks which must be brought in on tractor trailers and cost thousands to transport.

So why bother to repeat history?  Reenactors say they are preserving it-- both physically in artifacts and culturally through stories and research.

--GreGen

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