Now we start the SECOND thousand entries..
Because we are starting a new series of postings, I decided to "go back" and add some from the past.
Not the actual past in wartime history, just scenes I caught at a
Battle Of Charleston re-enactment at Legare Farm a few years ago.
It's an annual event in April and features a whole timeline of wars from Indian and pirates through the Civil War, WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, etc.
Variety for sure and lent itself to some strange pairings of re-enactors from different eras.
General Robert E. Lee was in attendance and charmed the ladies.
It was a warm April and some of the outfits had to be a bit uncomfortable.
But, these are people paying attention to details and what's a little sweat way back before air conditioning became the norm.
Surely humidity then was not as fierce as it is now?! (Hmm, global warming?)
This young fellow I spotted in the parking lot but tried to avoid showing him with modern cars around.
I had just arrived myself and had not yet seen how many juxtapositions would play that afternoon.
To me, it became the norm to seek them out.
The organizers have done this for awhile and knew to use the ample space at Legare Farm to separate the eras as much as possible.
The battle scenes were announced in advance so avid photographers could cover mounted charges, and cannons booming.
Include musket fire as well as machine guns and the ever popular Garand M-1
When I was handed an M-1 I realized the last time I held one was in the 1950s!
So "soon" you forget that it weighs nearly 10 pounds. Yikes.
But, of course, I was younger then and the Marines had beat me into a lean, mean, fighting machine at Parris Island.
I buy USMC t-shirts online and one I saw stated:
"Not so lean, not so mean, but I'm still a U.S. Marine."
The catalog said they came in XL, 2XL and even 3XL.
For some reason, one of my favorite photos that day involved a lady wearing the fashion of the 1860s, but facing a modern-day dilemma.
She agreed to pose when I assured her I did NOT want a photo of her actually trying to enter the facility.
Closing on that high note, I realize some time has passed since my last entry and I had many opportunities to post live music shows I've attended and other interesting events and activities.
I will conclude this one and promise to get more written and posted in the future.
Here are some additional shots from that Re-enactment.
Labels: 11th annual Battle of Charleston, Civil War Reenactor, justapositions, Korea and Vietnam, WWI and WWII
A Day With The Troops...
And muskets.
And pistols.
They are aiming at guys in blue, who, as I heard someone say today, "are working for Union scale."
But, this year, it was more than JUST the War Between The States, The War of Northern Aggression or, even, the Recent Unpleasantness.
The organizers also included Robert E. Lee (David Chaltas, a reenactor and author from Kentucky) hobnobbing with Citadel cadets garbed in WWII outfits.
The "General" was all over Legare Farm this Saturday, encouraging his troops and staying in character throughout.
Also highly visible were Redcoats representing the Revolutionary war and German and American soldiers looking over wares together in a field "PX" before performing drama from the "Battle of the Bulge" in World War two.
Back to the past. And some curious - and funny - juxtapositions.
One bonus for me on this day of military time travel was the chance to once again hold in my hands a Garand M-1.
The last time was in 1960 when I turned mine in on leaving the Marines to accept a college scholarship.
I had forgotten they weigh about 10 pounds and are almost four feet long. And that's before you are told to "Fix bayonet"!
The ladies were there in their 1860s fashions and I was able to pose a situation that had gone through my mind before.
The reality of modern and historic coming to a head, so to speak.
She was gracious and smiling, and I think, the caption says it all.
I met 10-year old Bryson Boosinter at the front gate when I first arrived and, later, when he was drumming on the field of battle amidst the smoke and noise and falling bodies.
His parents checked to make sure all the elements of his uniform were correct, and in place, and off he went to march to his own drummer.
I saw a private in the 3rd US Infantry, Company G, was a bit distracted as he was standing watch over the Civil War-era campsite.
I caught him taking a sip of water from his canteen and joined in, screwing off the cap of my plastic bottle of natural spring water. He stayed in character.
I ended my afternoon as the blue and the gray came together to "parlay" and fire some black powder volleys with their muskets.
There was at least another skirmish on tap but I needed to head home.
The whole show repeats again tomorrow at Legare Farm on Johns Island.
The weather was bright and sunny today and they forecast similar for Sunday.
The other "war" happens Sunday in the 49th Super Bowl so I'll be camped in front of the big screen tv. No hardtack, goobers, or Johnnie cakes for me.
It's pepperoni pizza time.
Soon we will
not be a nation divided.
The
Seattle Seahawks or the
New England Patriots will prevail and peace will come to the land.
Did I mention I love pizza?
(Click on the photos for some amazing details.)
Labels: 11th annual Battle of Charleston, Bryson Boosinter, David Chaltas, Johns Island, Korea, L'il Rebel drummer boy, Legare Farm, M-1, Porta-patty, Redcoats, Robert E. Lee, Vietnam
Because we are starting a new series of postings, I decided to "go back" and add some from the past.
For some reason, one of my favorite photos that day involved a lady wearing the fashion of the 1860s, but facing a modern-day dilemma. 
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