Halls, TN Armed Forces Day Public Display/Battle -

[35divmp]

All:

There will be a Public Display/Battle at the Halls, TN airport on May 19, 2007. Halls is located just south of Dyersburg, Tennessee and was a USAAF B-17 training base during WWII.

Scenarios and battles will be late ETO.

BATF address for the necessary forms:
100 Arnold Field Road
Halls TN 38040

Contact person - Reenactors, military vendors, and military vehicles:
Thomas Killion - [phone] email: [e-mail]

The museum website has driving directions: www.dyaab.us/

More information to follow.

Jay Sproat
35th Inf. Div., MP Plt (HRS)

[35divmp]

All:

Here is a partial list of what is planned for the event at Halls, TN:

1) Opening address by the TN State Adjutant General.

2) Displays by area Booster Clubs (Kiwani' s, Lions Club, etc) and
Recruiters from all branches of Service

2) Friends of the museum are invited to fly-in with aircraft for
display

3) ROTC precision drill team to perform

4) Outdoor band, WWII displays and other period military displays

5) WWII battle reenactment(s) organized by Thomas Killian

6) Fish fry

7) Museum open all day for those wishing to tour

There will be more items forthcoming as the museum is still working on the final schedule and times. The museum really wants to see ALL periods and countries, since this is an Armed Forces Day event, so if you do Korea and Vietnam, you will be welcome to come and set up a display.

Just let Thomas Killion know (see 1st post for phone and email).

Jay

[35divmp]

All:

Here is an update on this event.

Jay
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Armed Forces Day Public Display/Battle
May 19, 2007
Arnold Field, Halls, TN

UPDATE

1. The official theme of this year's event is "Last Days of the 3rd Reich." This event will cover the final days of the war in Europe. Please have your authenticity match this theme for the display battle. Private and unit displays can be of any period or country from WWII to Vietnam.

2. Authenticity. Since many reenactors belong to various reenacting groups that all have their own standard(s), it would be unfair to enforce any one standard. We ask that everyone use their own organizations standards for themselves. We will have a minimum "10-foot rule" in place for those not belonging to any reenacting organization.

More on authenticity. There WILL be a few female reenactors in combat (and other) roles. I have a special "top secret" mission planned for some of them to do. If a female in a combat role causes you a problem, let me know. But, I don't want to start a big stupid talk about this. It's our decision to allow this. If you are a female reenactor and are interested in the "top secret" mission, please let me know.

3. Safety. Safety is all important! We WILL have a comprehensive safety inspection prior to the display battle. We will have safety regulations in place for vehicle owners as well. The safety inspection will be conducted by Mike Ezell with Allied and Axis representatives. If something is found that is considered dangerous or wrong, then it will not go to the field.

4. Security. The local police department will conduct security patrols and will eject people if needed. They will also patrol the area at night to prevent theft and vandalism.

5. Sensibilities. Since this is a PUBLIC display, there will be certain items/impressions that cannot be used/done. Gestapo, Allgemeine-SS, Hitler-Jugend, etc. Also, no WWII German "Nazi" political flags can be flown. Contact me if you have questions on this.

6. Battle script. There is a battle "script" being prepared and will be ready to go. If your unit does a specific impression, i.e., MPs, engineers, signal, etc., let me know ASAP. We are working on putting on a "surrender ceremony" for the end of either the battle or the event itself.

7. Vendors. The insurance thing is the city/museum's policy. Last year they were rather sticky about liability issues. So if anyone wants to sell anything to the public, let me know, and I'll tell you who to contact. They have a city vendors policy and that's their rule.

8. Questions. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

Thomas Killion
[e-mail]
615-824-4460 (home-evenings)

[35divmp]

All"

Here is the information on displays.

Jay
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Armed Forces Public Display/Battle
May 19, 2007
Arnold Field, Halls, TN

All:

Thomas has asked me to coordinate the displays, since he is quite busy planning the battle details. Per his update, there will be no Nazi flags allowed at the event. The main emphasis of the event WILL be on WWII, but the museum holds military memorabilia from WWI to present day. Therefore, if you have items to display from WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, or Desert Storm, you are welcome to come and set up a display. Some of the British guys are also joining us. If you have another impression, let me know, and I'll check on it for you. Regarding such, here is what I know:

1) The display area will be just outside the museum, within the fenced-in area on the tarmac of one of the remaining air field's runways. There is plenty of room for everyone to set up.

2) In the event of rain, the museum will allow us to move inside.
They want us to set up outside because they charge admission to the museum and realize many folks might not plan on visiting the museum that day so they might miss out on our displays. All events will be held outdoors.

3) Since this is on an airfield, there is no shade, so bring some sun screen or a canopy. It is also very windy, so be prepared to secure your display items.

3) There is no electricity available. If your display requires electricity, you will need to provide it yourself. I have a small rechargable generator that I have used on occasion when needed.

4) Anything you need for your display you will need to bring. The
museum will not be providing tables and/or chairs.

5) Vehicles are encouraged. There is ample parking for trailors. If you plan on bringing a vehicle larger than a Jeep, and need lots of space, let me know and I'll advise the museum. Be advised, the museum is not paying for vehicles or gas, so don't ask about it.

6) Vendors- as Thomas stated, the town has a strict policy about that. Contact Thomas for more info.

7) There will be concessions vendors there for drinks and snacks, and there will be a Fish Fry held at 4:00, so you won't go hungry. You might want to bring along a small personal cooler for water, however.

One other note- I'd like to encourage anyone considering bringing along their "significant other" in homefront attire. I think the museum, public and vets would enjoy seeing them. I would enjoy meeting them as well! While there is no USO style dance planned, there will be an outdoor band playing a mixture of tunes. Hopefully some big band stuff as well. The events at Halls have been growing each time, and I know they appreciate our participation. The more we turn out, the bigger the event is next time, so you get the picture.

Any questions, please email me at [e-mail]

Thanks!
Kathryne

[35divmp]

All:

Here is another update for the Armed Forces Day display and public battle at Arnold Field, Halls, TN.

REENACTOR INFO:

Display Set-up time: 8-9 am.
Safety/Battle Briefing times: 10:30 am

Units confirmed at this time:

Axis
18th Volkstrum and motorcycle
12th Infantry Div.

Allied:
30th Inf. Div., 120th Rgt
35th Inf. Div., MP Plt
British contingent

For more information contact:

Thomas Killion: [e-mail] or call 615-824-4460
Kathryne: [e-mail]

More info to come!

Jay
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ARMED FORCES CELEBRATION, THE VETERANS MUSEUM AT HALLS, MAY 19, 2007
Help Us Honor Our Military

Gates open at 9 a.m.
No Admission Fee
Wear Your Uniforms

Opening Ceremonies at 10 a.m.

Military Reenactments at 12 noon and 2p.m.

Halls RC Fliers will fly their remote aircraft throughout the day

Food Available All Day- fish fry begins at 4p.m. $7 a plate- carryouts permitted

Museum Program at 3p.m.
$2 Admission
Senior Citizens Free

[35divmp]

All:

Here are a few last minute additions to the festivities for the
Armed Forces Day Celebration at Arnold Field:

1) Local city of Ripley ROTC presents the colors at 10am, followed by precision drill team performance at 11am.

2) $5 per ticket to qualify for 4-6 drawings during the day to sit in the cockpit of the A-7 Navy Jet on museum grounds.

3) Children's activities on site.

4) Speech by Major General Jimmy Welch, "The Military in 2007" at the museum conference room- 3pm. (Must be seated by 2:45).
This will be followed by the museum's program.

This is shaping up to be the biggest and best event at Halls to date!

I hope all of you who can make it will come out, and honor our military and veterans! Just a reminder- the gates open at 9:00am, so all displays, vehicles and reenactors need to be in place prior to that time. Any last minute questions regarding the battle and/or camping onsite, please contact Thomas Killian at 615-824-4460 or [e-mail].

Thanks, and hope to see you all there!

Kathryne

[35divmp]

All:

Things are in place, the scenarios is ready to go, and we hope to see everyone there!

The weather is looking to be in the upper 70s all day with no rain! Remember, this is a free event, so come on out and have fun!

Jay