Post by crazydima on Jun 8, 2010 8:16:29 GMT -5
Tovarischi,
Well as usual I had a great time at the event and it was good to see all my old friends as well as meeting some new ones. I have come to learn that there is never a dull moment when at Evansville…good or bad. None the less always entertaining. This year was a little different for me since I had decided to become a volunteer and help work on the ship and give tours. I figure why just talk about preserving history and run around busting caps when I can really make a difference and help preserve a piece of history like LST 325. I encourage others to do similar things if they can. It gives you a great feeling.
Since I have learned long ago it is far easier to criticize than to be positive force for change. I figure I would like to take a moment to discuss some aspects of this event that some folks may not be aware of. First of all there are two distinct entities involved with the event taking place. One entity is the LST Memorial group. The other is the land re-enactment run by Mr. Goodall (Schnauser owner). They are not one in the same nor does one have control over the other. The LST folks take care of any and all items involving the LST and Goodall runs all items involving the land re-enactment. There appears to be a communications issue between the two entities and the problem seems to be on the land end of the event. This issue has created some SNAFUs which were unavoidable and detract from the event.
Land issues:
I was disappointed by the fact that the camp location had not been better prepared. Now granted the land is not owned by the LST nor the coordinator of the land re-enactment but even a guy like me who is not too picky had issues with the rock and concrete strewn ground. Only a small part of the original camping areas of the past had any grass devoid of building debris and a lot of space was wasted by poor camp placement. The same disappointment was experienced with the battlefield and its high percentage of dangerous debris. Once again this was under the logistical concerns to be handled by the land event coordinator. Sadly the ground continues to be built up by such debris strewn for the purpose of development of the land. This is the reason for looking for a new land site for next year.
LCVP:
In the past one of the big draws was the fact that re-enactors were able to take rides and conduct amphibious landings using the LCVPsf. Well just like some of the hobby organizations changes are taking place with insurance carriers, coverage, etc. Well this year the LST was informed by its Insurance carrier that only members of the LST Memorial would be covered to ride in the LCVPs. The annual membership fee for the LST is $20.00. So in order to accommodate the re-enactors (also because volunteers love to play with them like we do too) the plan was to have anyone who wanted to ride would fill out an application for membership and hand over $20.00 and then rides the LCVP. Then at the end of the weekend if you did not want to continue to be a member of the LST Memorial you would be refunded your $20.00 and terminate the membership. This was known long in advance of the event and the LST folks tried to contact the land event coordinator, Mr. Goodall, but to no avail. The lane event coordinator did not touch base about the matter until a few days before the event. Then it was too late to let the re-enactors know what was going on. Once again a SNAFU which was avoidable.
Authenticity:
I will be the first to agree that the event has some issues which need to be addressed. However, I would caution folks from using such divisive terms as “Farb Fest” to describe an event before making sure such problems do not exist at their own events. Every event has positives and negatives based upon each re-enactor’s preferences. Some folks would say that a T-34 converted into a Tiger is not up to their level. Others would have trouble with Locust light airborne tanks being in battles. Some would question why are their Polish troops who fought at Monte Casino charging off of a landing barge at a PTO event. Regardless of such examples using such divisive words and actions do not do anyone any good. I have been re-enacting a few years and have attended a few events around the region and I can tell you that I have not been to the perfect re-enactment yet. In fact I can point out logistical and authenticity problems with nearly every event I have ever attended. In the end it really comes down to what level of anachronisms each re-enactor is willing to accept as part of an event. So until that perfect event takes place perhaps we should keep the name calling out of it? If you do not like an event then stay away and refrain from bad mouthing it.
Participation:
I too was disappointed in the lower turn out as well as the number of folks who decided to leave on Saturday night. However, I cannot say that I blame them considering the circumstances. My hat is off to those who stayed and did their best to make things work on Sunday. Your efforts did not go unnoticed. I was also so glad to see the folks who came over for the day to help out the event. It is always good to see my old friends and meet new ones.
Now on the positive side of the lower attendance this year there were no incidents of public displays of intoxication by re-enactors where public urination in the middle of public streets occurred nor the attempted climbing of utility pole guy wires resulting in damage to the safety coating. This was a relief needless to say. Not exactly a great image to be giving re-enactors neither in my book nor by the volunteers of the LST.
Hopefully the need to change camp and battle locations will be the perfect opportunity to make a positive change for the better. I know I will try to work for a positive change. I hope others will do the same.
Sincerely,
Dima
A closet US sailor
Well as usual I had a great time at the event and it was good to see all my old friends as well as meeting some new ones. I have come to learn that there is never a dull moment when at Evansville…good or bad. None the less always entertaining. This year was a little different for me since I had decided to become a volunteer and help work on the ship and give tours. I figure why just talk about preserving history and run around busting caps when I can really make a difference and help preserve a piece of history like LST 325. I encourage others to do similar things if they can. It gives you a great feeling.
Since I have learned long ago it is far easier to criticize than to be positive force for change. I figure I would like to take a moment to discuss some aspects of this event that some folks may not be aware of. First of all there are two distinct entities involved with the event taking place. One entity is the LST Memorial group. The other is the land re-enactment run by Mr. Goodall (Schnauser owner). They are not one in the same nor does one have control over the other. The LST folks take care of any and all items involving the LST and Goodall runs all items involving the land re-enactment. There appears to be a communications issue between the two entities and the problem seems to be on the land end of the event. This issue has created some SNAFUs which were unavoidable and detract from the event.
Land issues:
I was disappointed by the fact that the camp location had not been better prepared. Now granted the land is not owned by the LST nor the coordinator of the land re-enactment but even a guy like me who is not too picky had issues with the rock and concrete strewn ground. Only a small part of the original camping areas of the past had any grass devoid of building debris and a lot of space was wasted by poor camp placement. The same disappointment was experienced with the battlefield and its high percentage of dangerous debris. Once again this was under the logistical concerns to be handled by the land event coordinator. Sadly the ground continues to be built up by such debris strewn for the purpose of development of the land. This is the reason for looking for a new land site for next year.
LCVP:
In the past one of the big draws was the fact that re-enactors were able to take rides and conduct amphibious landings using the LCVPsf. Well just like some of the hobby organizations changes are taking place with insurance carriers, coverage, etc. Well this year the LST was informed by its Insurance carrier that only members of the LST Memorial would be covered to ride in the LCVPs. The annual membership fee for the LST is $20.00. So in order to accommodate the re-enactors (also because volunteers love to play with them like we do too) the plan was to have anyone who wanted to ride would fill out an application for membership and hand over $20.00 and then rides the LCVP. Then at the end of the weekend if you did not want to continue to be a member of the LST Memorial you would be refunded your $20.00 and terminate the membership. This was known long in advance of the event and the LST folks tried to contact the land event coordinator, Mr. Goodall, but to no avail. The lane event coordinator did not touch base about the matter until a few days before the event. Then it was too late to let the re-enactors know what was going on. Once again a SNAFU which was avoidable.
Authenticity:
I will be the first to agree that the event has some issues which need to be addressed. However, I would caution folks from using such divisive terms as “Farb Fest” to describe an event before making sure such problems do not exist at their own events. Every event has positives and negatives based upon each re-enactor’s preferences. Some folks would say that a T-34 converted into a Tiger is not up to their level. Others would have trouble with Locust light airborne tanks being in battles. Some would question why are their Polish troops who fought at Monte Casino charging off of a landing barge at a PTO event. Regardless of such examples using such divisive words and actions do not do anyone any good. I have been re-enacting a few years and have attended a few events around the region and I can tell you that I have not been to the perfect re-enactment yet. In fact I can point out logistical and authenticity problems with nearly every event I have ever attended. In the end it really comes down to what level of anachronisms each re-enactor is willing to accept as part of an event. So until that perfect event takes place perhaps we should keep the name calling out of it? If you do not like an event then stay away and refrain from bad mouthing it.
Participation:
I too was disappointed in the lower turn out as well as the number of folks who decided to leave on Saturday night. However, I cannot say that I blame them considering the circumstances. My hat is off to those who stayed and did their best to make things work on Sunday. Your efforts did not go unnoticed. I was also so glad to see the folks who came over for the day to help out the event. It is always good to see my old friends and meet new ones.
Now on the positive side of the lower attendance this year there were no incidents of public displays of intoxication by re-enactors where public urination in the middle of public streets occurred nor the attempted climbing of utility pole guy wires resulting in damage to the safety coating. This was a relief needless to say. Not exactly a great image to be giving re-enactors neither in my book nor by the volunteers of the LST.
Hopefully the need to change camp and battle locations will be the perfect opportunity to make a positive change for the better. I know I will try to work for a positive change. I hope others will do the same.
Sincerely,
Dima
A closet US sailor