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Post by indiosbravos on Jul 27, 2009 7:20:27 GMT -5
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Post by VeeVee on Jul 27, 2009 15:47:31 GMT -5
Very nice! Tell us more about this event. Did many people ask about the history you were portraying? I imagine it's not a common encampment for them to see.
Did you attend War and Peace by any chance?
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Post by indiosbravos on Jul 27, 2009 18:24:43 GMT -5
I'm quite lucky that the group that Tim was of which I'm attached was one that interacts with the public. I've noticed that the British would normally ask questions and will be more than happy to listen to you. Liked the first one that we attended (Fortress Wales) our location was probably the best in terms of logistic, and public access to our camp. We couldn't ask for more. We would normally let the kids try our different Hat and Helmet. Tim normally handled the gun talk and will allow the kids to pose with it. While doing this, Tim will also do the talk about the War in the Philippines to their parents. I will just normally add some bits every now and then. The organiser did a public presentation of all the reenactors before every start of the program. Tim and myself was called in front of the arena and presented to the public while a talk about the Philippine Scout and Bataan was being given. This was one of the best part of my experience I think, people being aware of the Philippines and it's role in the PTO. I think we managed to did that as well in Wales. I think Spielberg will not be happy that we made PTO fashionable here before his series can. When Band of Brother's was released the number of 101st reenactors shoot up the roof. One big shop here even had a dedicated Airborne section. Fingers crossed for USMC. To be fair and honestly speaking I'm up for it. PTO is PTO and it's long overdue recognition should be recognise. There's a documentary that I watched entitled D-Day in the Pacific. It was the American's Landing in the Philippines...... War and Peace happened on the same date. I loved telling people trivia about Philippine Flag, M1, 26th Cavalry, Mabatang and Abucay. One that was emphasized was the 55 day Japanese plan to take the PI that ended up 6 months. I'm impressed with Tim that every chance he's got he's always showing and telling people about what he's eating; " Lugao" (rice porridge). He did that also in Wales. Last Saturday, the last surviving British WWI vet died at the age of 111. The last Tommy, Harry Patch. All the reenactors on Sunday gathered in the arena and gave him a Salute. It was really a fitting one because the site being part of a museum actually had a replica trench x.staffordshireregimentmuseum.com/trench.php Been there and it was really informative and hauntingly horrific if you will try to picture what really went on in this trenches. It was very humbling when I met the Veteran on the picture. He told me it was an honour for him to meet me. I was really embarassed and politely corrected him that it was me who was honoured to have met him. In my introspection I think he was pleased to see reenactors keeping the memory of what they did alive.
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Post by insurrectomad on Jul 27, 2009 20:49:18 GMT -5
Well Done Indiosbravos! The 101st Paras museum and the store you mentioned has been there since the 1960's at least, from the time the tourist trade revived and most of the landmines had been cleared from the beaches. The French villages that were the first, in Europe to be liberated by the allies, celebrated with fiestas every year. I had an old farmhouse near St. Lo town where a Lancaster crashed just 2 miles done the road. There is a fine monument at the corner bend in memory of the 7 crew who died. Strangely the comprised of a Welshmen, a Canadian, an Australian, Scot, And I believe one of the others was from the Old Empire also. The Lancaster was attempting to bomb an old stone bridge across the river to prevent the Germans bringing up armoured re-enforcements to the beaches. The monument is just outside Cerissy-La-Salle. -David
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Post by legionnaire on Jul 28, 2009 1:22:27 GMT -5
Mabuhay Lawrence! Nice added touch with the signs Mabatang and Abucay. And yes it's great that you guys even had Lugao! No San Mig ? What you guys need are a watercooled 30 cal. Browning MG.
It's really inspiring that you are able to educate the British public on the war in the Philippines specially with the sacrifices of the USAFFE soldiers in preventing the conquest of Australia and giving time for America to rearm and win the war. I hope your group grows and continues doing impressions of the early war in the P.I.
When the mini series 'The Pacific" are released in the U.K., it's obvious renewed interest on the pacific will become increasingly the hot topic and educating them about the Fall of the Philippines will be the greatest time to raise awareness on it and you have a very good head start already.
As Donald's Doc. on the Scouts will come out when the forgotten Pacific theater of war will be the focus.
Were's the Scout Div. flag? Keep up the legacy and memory of our veterans! Mabuhay ang Philippine Scouts!
Philip
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szadipoland
New Member
Reconstructed Gunner 1SBS
Posts: 27
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Post by szadipoland on Jul 28, 2009 6:33:51 GMT -5
Hi great photos and photo shows the good relationship;]
Martin with a military salute!
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