PAMILMUSEUM - VIETNAM Revisited

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Vietnam Revisited

VIETNAM Revisited

VIETNAM Revisited

(Scroll below these early photos for a 2009 update)

Our Vietnam Revisited Living History Combat Bivouac had its genesis in the 2006 time line encampment/bivouac. Several of our WWII reenactors participating in the time line were interpreting the Vietnam era as USMC riflemen. It was at this September 2006 event that we began discussing ideas to interpret Vietnam in an exclusive two-day program. The excellent foliage along the Spring Creek adjacent to the museum made the perfect setting to depict the Central Highlands of the Republic of Vietnam. Plans were drafted for a Command Post, Sick Call, tactical combat demonstrations each day and scheduling the public to accompany a squad on short range recon patrols (SRRP) into the thick creek side underbrush throughout the day. The date was set for when conditions approximating a tropical environment would be perfect – late July 2007.

Museum volunteer Pete Michel dressed as a Vietnam era USMC rifleman during the 2006 time line. It was this photo, with the Spring Creek flood plain foliage as a backdrop, that convinced us the Vietnam experience was doable in Pennsylvania.

We had no idea as to the response we would receive from the public. The Vietnam War is very fresh in the memories of a majority of Americans. It had divided the country and had a profound effect of two presidencies. The target date for interpretation was 1968-69. This was highpoint of a U.S. combat troop presence in country. If our weekend experience started to turn sour at any point, then the 2007 VIETNAM Revisited bivouac would be a one-time affair.

Museum educator Joe Horvath addresses the visitors at the 2007 inaugural Vietnam Revisited Living History Combat Bivouac.

We had built it and they did come. Vietnam vets came from near and far. They brought their wives, children and grandchildren. To a man they thanked us for doing what we were doing and by popular opinion the event has become annual. We are humbled by their appreciation and will continue to do our best in accurately interpreting those days of ’68-’69. Please enjoy the remaining photos.

A new addition to the 2008 & 2009 events is the "In-processing" signboard. Vets are requested to sign the board with their name, rank, unit and dates of time in-country. On the reverse side of the board is a map of tjhe country where vets are asked to mark the location of their time in-country.

SPC Pete Michel of Jackson, NJ and Big "Jimbo" Nestor of Mechanicsburg prepare to go on patrol. (2009)

A 2007 "patrol" is led down the trail toward Pebble Beach. The "beach" is is a tree coverd area of the creek used as a swimming hole. We had designated it as a rallying point for the patrols. It was a good site to suspect an ambush.

Associated Press photographer Carolyn Kaster takes a photo of an unidentified soldier on the combat patrol trail prior to the ambush demonstration as part of a planned national story on reenacting the Vietnam era. (2009)

Museum volunteer Alyssa Horvath, State College, stands watch over a rain swollen Spring Creek as our indigenous Vietnamese National who was continually detained and questioned by the soldiers as she walked the jungle paths in 2006.

Living History events are a great way to see museum exhibits come alive. We have been informed that the stock and barrel of this shotgun are too shiny. (2007)

SPC Pete Michel moves out on patrol with SGT Tom Gray, Altoona, looking on. (2009)

PVT Mike Williamson, Indiana, waits on the combat trail during the ambush tactical demonstration. (2009)

Mike Williamson and John Dubbs of Elizabethtown enjoy some Perkins pie graciously donated by the State College Perkins Family Restaurants. Perkins, Wegmans and Giant Foods of State College make corporate food donations that assist us with feeding the troops. It is one of the little perks enjoyed by the reenactment community when they visit Boalsburg.