Bringing History to Life with Military Reenactments

For military history buffs all over the world, there is nothing more interesting and captivating than visiting the preserved site of a historical battle and having the war waged live right before their eyes. Throughout the United States, there are many battle sites that have been preserved from the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, the Spanish American War, and the Indian Wars, and there are also many old towns, restored forts, and historical sites such as Fort Laramie, the Alamo, Colonial Williamsburg, and Bents Fort, Colorado, which give visitors a look at the places historical events took place, the clothing people wore at that time, the food they ate, and personal glimpses into the daily lives of the people involved in those events.

During national celebrations such as the Civil War Centennial and the U.S. Bicentennial, many people dressed in uniforms using period equipment and firearms put on mock battles called "reenactments." But these types of reenactments aren’t just reserved for widely televised national celebrations, they are carried on regularly throughout the country, primarily by military history enthusiasts and other people who want to pursue and introduce others to the hobby of reenacting historical battles. For military reenactment groups, their primary objective is that the presentations be historically accurate and educational, while also being entertaining.

There are many groups across the country that work to preserve history by presenting such reenactments, both annually and throughout the year. The World War 2 Living History Regiment in Colorado is one such organization, a non-profit educational/historical association that has been operating since 1988. The Regiment is dedicated to demonstrating WWII battles and preserving WWII memorabilia, and consists of American, British, German, and Russian units. Their purpose is to preserve the national heritage of all the nations that participated in WWII in Europe while keeping alive and demonstrating to the public the traditions of combat soldiers of that period. According to their website, membership is open "to any legally competent person of good character—no convicted felons, drug users, or Neo-nutzis." In addition to presenting mock battles for the public, the Regiment also holds tactical events that are closed to the public, for their own enjoyment or for practicing strategies and tactics for the public reenactments. Regimental events for the public include parades, displays, reenactments in conjunction with fairs, airshows, or school history classes, and other civic endeavors.

Winston Churchill said, "There is nothing as exhilarating as being shot at and missed." Military reenactments allow you to experience this truth for yourself, because this is the only hobby where you can get killed several times a day and still get home in time for dinner. The preservation of history through military reenactments not only gives today’s society a look into the past, it also serves as an example of the courage and bravery exhibited by those dedicated soldiers who fought and gave their lives to make America what it is today.