2014 Events Calendar

[twhigham]

January 10-12 = Blood and Iron tactical
January 17-19 = Brookesville Raid (CW)
January 24-26 = Douglas, GA Airborne & Flyboys event

February 1-2 = Townsend's Plantation Raid (CW)
February 7-9 = Markets of Marion
Febuary 14-16 = Battle of Olustee (CW)
February 21-23 = B-29 at Clearwater Airport

March 1-2 = Dade Battlefield WW2 Days
March 7-9 = Nature Coast (CW)
March 14-16 = Tico Air Show
March 28-30 = Narcoosee (CW)
March 28-30 = Winter Storm tactical at Florala AL

April 4-6 = Sun n Fun Fly-in at Lakeland, FL
April 25-26 = WW2 Heritage Days at Peachtree, GA

May 10-11 = Mighty 8th Air Force gala, near Savannah GA
May 26 Memorial Day = Memorial Day salute, Vet's Park, Tampa, FL (WWII and Nam)

[cptsmith]

Troy,

The Flyboy event is 24-26 January, you'll have to wait if you get there on the 12th.

[Rabbi Rob]

Dear Troy,

This is always welcome, thank you!

Thinking a bit more about the hyperlinked web pages for events idea... As a rough draft, how about:

Event name:
Event date(s):
Event coordinator(s):
Event location:
Vehicles welcome, and type:
Weapons demonstration: Y/N
Mock battle: Y/N
Camping and facilities:
Event schedule:

Example simple web page would read:

<www.cymru.com/82ndrcn/dade2014/>

From this OPORD a potential participant knows:

1. Pack the camping gear and food.
2. Bring blanks.
3. Load up the Jeep.

If this was a living history event, the potential participant would know not to bother packing blanks, camping gear and food, and a military vehicle.

So the event calendar, including Sam's excellent web page, might look like:

January 10-12 = Blood and Iron tactical <www.2ndrangerbattalion.org/bloodandiron.html>
March 1-2 = Dade Battlefield WW2 Days <www.cymru.com/82ndrcn/dade2014/>
[ ... ]

I realize that most of you are veterans of these events, and thus know what to expect. That isn't the case for first-timers and new recruits, and things do change. It's not just new recruits who may be surprised at events. With a bit more communication, we can all be on the same page, have a base level of expectations, and know who to call when questions arise.

I'm happy to assemble these simple web pages, though others are far more talented than I at that task. I'm happy to chase folks down for the necessary information. What else can I do to help disseminate information to the team?

These may be terrible ideas, so you may fire at will. What other ideas do you have to further disseminate the information we need to spend less time in confusion and more time in battle?

Or is it just me who is terminally in the dark and confused?

Thoughts?

Thanks,
Rabbi Rob.

[twhigham]

I like that idea! I don't have webpage C&C, so I'll have to defer to a volunteer for that. Takers? Rough thumbnails:

January 10-12 = Blood and Iron tactical (you provide everthing you need to survive)

January 17-19 = Brookesville Raid (CW) (Civil War event - you bring tent and camping gear; food is usually up to the groups to provide. Mark Marusek and Mike Bloski are key contacts for all things Civil War-related. We usually do Federal 7th Connecticut, but CSA from time to time as well, depending on numbers.)

January 24-26 = Douglas, GA Airborne & Flyboys event (we may rent a hotel for this. Meals will be in the city. No mock battle; mostly photography and educational interaction with the public, possible weapons demonstrations. Vehicles welcome. Ted Smith is point man on this one.)

February 1-2 = Townsend's Plantation Raid (CW) (Civil War event - you provide all of your camping needs)

February 7-9 = Markets of Marion (WW2 - camping on-site but we usually eat at a local cafe for breakfast and dinner. It's a flea market so you can find burgers etc. there for lunch. We camp in back, along the treeline. MVPA rally here, too. Col. Roberts is the contact for this. Vehicles welcome. Public battle both Saturday and Sunday. Exact schedule and times TBD. Bring cash, as this can be a good opportunity to pick up odds and ends.)

Febuary 14-16 = Battle of Olustee (CW) (Civil War event - this is a major festival this year in north Florida, with a parade downtown and everything. Groups responsible for own breakfast and dinner and I predict there will be vendors selling fair food for lunch. Mike and Mark are already getting headcount together so they can plan parade and march and food.)

February 21-23 = B-29 at Clearwater Airport (Ww2 living history, no camping on-site but I'm thinking of having people crash at the party house if the homeowners don't mind. That means we can cook our own breakfast and dinner in a modern kitchen. I think Don Dickey was working on this with the FiFi people. Not sure about vehicles; focus will be on Air Corps. No battle.)

March 1-2 = Dade Battlefield WW2 Days (WW2 - we may have to do our own breakfast; lunch will be on-site from vendors, dinner may be in town or a USO show if they do it again. Vehicles welcome, and public battle. I think Ted Johnson is our point of contact unless someone else stands up. Paul Remis and Steve Rincke are the coordinators.)

March 7-9 = Nature Coast (CW) (Civil War - groups do their own food and camping arrangements)

March 14-16 = Tico Air Show (WW2 and Vietnam - we camp on-site but no open fires. Hotels are available nearby and we usually eat dinner in town. Air show folks provide donuts and sandwiches for breakfast/lunch in the VIP tent. Vehicles welcome and encouraged, with public battles Saturday and Sunday. Tom Bugala is the overall POC. I'll be handling duties of Allied commander, not sure who got tapped to do Axis. Maybe Roll or Hawley?)

March 28-30 = Narcoosee (CW) (Civil War - same as other CW events, we provide our own existence equipment)

March 28-30 = Winter Storm tactical at Florala AL (same weekend as Lee and Sam's wedding, by the way. I'll be at the wedding.) Ron Hargrove's property, same as Operation Cobra, with same rules of existence, except this one is German vs. Russian.

April 4-6 = Sun n Fun Fly-in at Lakeland, FL (WW2 - plan to camp on-site as hotels fill up fast. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are available from vendors, or you can go off the airfield and find something in Lakeland area. We may get provisions for water and food but details to come as the planning goes along. Col. Roberts is POC; with me as local contact. This year we will have weapons demos and public battle. Vehicles welcome and encouraged, as it can be a long walk from camp to food to attractions and back to camp. We'll be in the warbird area, right in the main flow of foot traffic, so plan to look sharp and authentic once the gates open.) By the way, Sun n Fun is the 2nd largest air show in North America, second only to Oshkosh, WI. Expect to be photographed early and often.

April 25-26 = WW2 Heritage Days at Peachtree, GA (WW2 - plan to camp on-site. Breakfast available at a Waffle House and other restos nearby, lunch available from vendors. Dinner Saturday night with dancing and music. Plan to carpool if possible, as it can be a long drive there, and longer on the way back. Public battle Saturday and Sunday. Vehicles welcome but mostly as eye candy and photo points. Area is easily covered on foot. I'm POC with the event staff, so I'll get headcounts and impressions once the date gets closer.)

May 10-11 = Mighty 8th Air Force gala, near Savannah GA (WW2 - still working on this. We plan to have hotel accommodations and food from restaurants if we can find them. John Banet and Ted Johnson are heading this up. No public battle, but vehicles are encouraged as eye candy.)

I'll provide event website links once I have a computer that can handle having multiple windows open.

[Rabbi Rob]

Dear Troy,

Jan 1, 2014 17:00:40 GMT -5 twhigham said:

I like that idea! I don't have webpage C&C, so I'll have to defer to a volunteer for that. Takers?

I'll take on the task, at least until someone with a better design eye and appreciation for aesthetics steps up.

I'll try to assemble the list by the end of this week (yes, tomorrow).

Thanks!
Rabbi Rob.

[twhigham]

Ok, here are links:
Events 2014:

January 17-19 = Brookesville Raid (Civil War). One of the larger Civil War events in Florida; we usually reenact 7th Connecticut. Swing by our camp for a game of checkers against our preacher to win a prize or sing along to bawdy Irish tunes. Official website: www.brooksvilleraidreenactment.com/

January 24-26 = Douglas, GA Airborne & Flyboys event. (World War II) Have your picture taken with a B-17 crew in front of a B-17! Jump with the 101st into Normandy on D-Day! Weapons demonstrations, too! wwiiflighttraining.org/Museum.php

February 1-2 = Townsend's Plantation Raid (Civil War). At the Reninger’s Flea Market. Lots of camps, music, and a public battle. See townsendsplantation.com/plantation.htm

February 7-9 = Markets of Marion (WW2) Public battle both Saturday and Sunday. Exact schedule and times TBD. See themarketofmarion.com/ for directions.

February 14-16 = Battle of Olustee (Civil War event) This is a major festival this year in north Florida, with a parade downtown and live entertainment. Public battle on both days. This is the 150th anniversary of the real battle, and lots of special events are planned. You don’t want to miss this one. Official website: battleofolustee.org/

February 21-23 = B-29 at Clearwater Airport (WW2). The B-29 “Fifi” arrives at Clearwater’s executive airport as part of a national tour. We’ll have a few representatives on hand for pictures. Tours available.

March 1-2 = Dade Battlefield WW2 Days (WW2). Public battle, military camps, and an evening of dancing with live music. Details to follow soon. See www.floridastateparks.org/dadebattlefield/default.cfm for directions.

March 7-9 = Nature Coast Battle (Civil War). Now held in Williston. See naturecoastcivilwarreenactment.com/ for more details.

March 14-16 = Tico Air Show (WW2 and Vietnam). Weapons demonstration and public battle, not to mention the airplanes! Visit the air-conditioned museum hangar for a glimpse into the past. See vacwarbirds.org/ for more information.

March 28-30 = Narcoosee Battle (Civil War)

March 28-30 = Winter Storm tactical at Florala AL (WW2)

April 4-6 = Sun n Fun Fly-in at Lakeland, FL (WW2) Sun n Fun is the 2nd largest air show in North America, second only to Oshkosh, WI. Public battles Saturday and Sunday and photographs with a B-17 crew. See the website at www.sun-n-fun.org/

April 25-26 = WW2 Heritage Days at Peachtree, GA (WW2) Public battle Saturday and Sunday. Home of many WW2 warbirds and a museum. www.wwiidays.org/

May 10-11 = Mighty 8th Air Force gala, near Savannah GA (WW2)

[twhigham]

I've added a new event - May 26 (Memorial Day) there's an event at Vet's Park in Tampa off US 301 to honor surviving veterans. We used to hold public battles there but interest fell off as other events were added to our calendar. This year we'll probably just do a static display for Vietnam unless there's real interest in doing a public battle. Expect it to be hot in the sun, tolerable in the shade. Vehicles are welcome and the museum building is air-conditioned. For lunch, George Hachtel recommends the Winghouse just up the road but sometimes the park will offer us hot dogs and cake if their budget allows. Crowd attendance used to be 200 or so, but I'm not sure what it would be this year since we haven't been there to put on a show in awhile.

Pop smoke! Hueys coming in!