World War II Re-enactors Honor Sacrifices of Soldiers Past

It isn’t often that a group of Nazis surrender to Allied forces right here in central Pennsylvania. 

But once a year, when a group of World War II re-enactors set up camp at Boalburg’s Military Museum, that dream becomes a reality.

The event gives people a glimpse into the life of a solider during World War II, allowing them to watch a live combat demonstration and interact with the soldiers in their tents.

The soldiers, many of whom also serve in modern times when they aren’t pretending to be soldiers from the past, take part in re-enactments to honor and recognize the sacrifices made for them.

“We had guys who were 18, 19, or 20 years old laying down their lives and making the ultimate sacrifice for us,” says Michael Montgomery. “Especially during Memorial Day weekend, it’s a good time to remember them. We wouldn’t be here without them, plain and simple, not in the comforts we’re enjoying today anyhow.”

Montgomery is currently in the reserves, and previously deployed overseas twice since he enlisted in 2000. You’d think Montgomery tires of being a soldier, but instead he spends much of his free time touring with “living history” events like the annual Boalsburg re-enactment.

His fellow solider, Mike Carper, served in the Army for 12 years, similarly deploying on two tours to the Middle East.

“We’re out here for our mutual love of history,” Carper says. “We’re here to remember the sacrifices World War II soldiers made defending freedom and to educate the public on the everyday life of a soldier and what types of uniforms they wore and what gear they used.”

Carper is clearly passionate about his hobby and has a wide array of World War II gear, most of which is original. His M1 Garand rifle was made in August of 1942 and still fires like it was made yesterday, he says.

Carper has everything that a World War II staff sergeant would, from ammunition to rations. He even has an original wallet, complete with signed pictures from pin-up girls, standard for a solider in that time period.

Like many of the soldiers taking part in the re-enactment, Carper has a grandfather who fought in World War II, stationed in the Philippines. He started out with the Civil War, but eventually grew interested in a war that he says is much easier to connect with.

“The biggest thing that lured me to World War II was that, at the time, there were a lot of veterans from that war who were still around,” Carper says. “You’d have a guy who was there come up and talk to you or one who sees something you’re carrying and says it was the exact same as what he had. Getting that feedback from the veterans is something I really enjoyed hearing.”

While the re-enactors take their show on the road most of the year, sometimes camping out in below-freezing weather, it’s their trip to Boalsburg each year that’s particularly special. On this weekend, more than any other, their message of reliving history to remember those who lost their lives defending the nation’s freedom rings truer than ever.

“The further you get away from an event, the less you remember,” says re-enactor Pete Michel. “So it’s important for people nowadays to look back and realize what came before them and the sacrifices that were made. I don’t feel right if I’m not here for Memorial Day weekend.”

POPULAR STORIES:

Penn State Football: Time to Win a Whiteout (Maybe Temple?)

Bill To Be Introduced To Name Bridge After Joe Paterno

Teaching Kids How to Grow Their Own Food — With Fish

Penn State Basketball: Condon Set To Fill Vacant Assistant Role

Two Decades of Students Give Retiring Choir Director Surprise of a Lifetime

Memorial Day Parade a Family Tradition in Boalsburg

Community Profile: Boalsburg Means Memorial Day, Museums, Tussey Mountain and More

Carnival Features Rides, Fried Food, and Bingo to Support Boalsburg Fire Company