The Briefing Room

Reenactors,

Please preregister online for this event. It will make registration go by much faster. At registration all you will have to do is sign the waiver and collect your ID card. We will be expecting a neighborhood of 450 reenactors this year. All reenactors and display participants will have to register. Even if you don’t plan on being in the battles.

Observe all safety and authenticity rules. No beards, and period hair cuts will be available on site. This is an ETO event.

We arrived in Columbus Ga. at approximately 8 PM eastern time. After a long day of travel we checked in to the hotel and set up our display room. After the majority of items were ready for display, we went to our rooms to settle in. The next morning we were busy finishing up the display, setting up interviews, and manning the hospitality room. After meeting with the Rangers and their families we had dinner and went back to the display room for mingling with Rangers and their families. Hearing stories from them men made the night go by quickly. Friday we loaded a few display Items to put out for The current Army Rangers, their families, and WWII Rangers, and their families. While the crowd was waiting to make it to the Rangers in action and graduation we put on a demonstration of uniforms and weapons from each of the six battalions during WWII with a brief history of each. The gates opened and everyone made their way to the bleachers for the ceremony. Not only was the ceremony informative, but entertaining. The Army had a good mix of tactics, maneuvers, education, humor, and explosives. After the graduation ceremony, we went on a tour of the National Infantry museum, where the curators took us on a private tour of a restored WWII barracks and company street complete with a chapel, mess hall, barracks, supply depot, and offices. Afterward we arrived in time to shower, change, and eat dinner. Once again opening up the display room to talk to the veterans and their families, and helping serve in the hospitality room. Saturday morning we went to a prayer service in Ft.Benning at the Ranger monument then lunch at the officer’s club. After lunch one of the current Army Rangers took us on a private tour of his headquarters. Saturday night we put on our class A uniforms for the formal dinner where guest speakers talked to us before dinner. After dinner we mingled with everyone and started to break down our display. By the end of the evening we had the majority of our equipment and personal belongings packed for the trip home.
On a personal note. This trip was the most inspiring event I have ever been to. It made me proud to be part of this organization, and an even deeper appreciation for those who serve. I have never been more proud of my friends, our soldiers, and our country.

Friends,

Six months into 2009  and it has been a very successful year. Here is a recap of everything that has been going on this year so far.  In January the interim board was elected to the board of directors. U.S. 2ndRnager Infantry Battalion of St.Louis, Inc obtained the contract for our building 72 at Jefferson Barracks for restoration.  Meetings and plans for the restoration had been discusses among the membership. WWII Weekend at Jefferson Barracks was the most successful we have ever had, 12,000 to 15,000 visitors, and the parks department stated that they have NEVER had that many people come to a single event.  Events our unit had supported were Camp Hickory hill Tactical, Camp Clarke Battle of the bulge tactical, Operation WAVE at Kimmswick MO, WWII Weekend, LST 325 in Evansville, Walk in the sun history hike.  In our first 6 months of 2009 we recruited nine new living history re-enactors. Currently some of them are obtaining their uniforms and equipment.  Updates have been made to the website including a photo gallery of over 4600 photos and growing, videos from past events, and over 12 hours of downloadable public domain WWII music from 1941 to 1945.   We hope you enjoy our website as a valuable resource for education, and re-enacting. We hope that the next six months are as prosperous and successful as the last. Hope to see you all out there.

Sgt. Kevin Owens

President,

U.S. 2nd Ranger Infantry Battalion of St.Louis, Inc

April 24-26 WWII Weekend 09 at Jefferson Barracks. The event started Friday morning at 0900 when unexpectedly two school buses full of kids started the school educational tours. Boy scout groups, home schoolers, and regular schools alike all came in droves until about 1400.  Throughout the day reenactors came in to register and set up camp.  Dinner was served to reenactors at 1800 with spaghetti with meat sauce. Nobody walked away still hungry.  Park visitors came by and watched as people set up camp and displays anxious to see what the rest of the weekend had in store for them. After dinner The unit COs briefing took place at the Ranger camp. Safety issues and battle plans were discussed. at night the park was filled with the sounds of people laughing, singing, and having a good time with their friends by the camp fires. These camp fires were visible throughout camp square. Saturday morning at 0800 the Officer’s briefing took place for units that arrived during the night.   Followed by the raising of the flag accompanied by reveille.  Afterward was the safety and authenticity briefing of all reenactors where Cpl Owens had an embarrassing moment with a dud blank. The Germans moved out to the battlefield first, followed by allied units in the convoy. There we met a huge crowd of spectators and the battle  started with explosions and a hail of gunfire.  Approximately 350 reenactors put on a show with vehicles to a record audience. A parks employee stated that he had never seen this many people at this event.  Both battles Saturday had record crowds and before and after each battle those crowds moved to the camps. An estimated 12,000 spectators attended this event, which broke last year’s record. Saturday night was the dance sponsored by The Friends of Jefferson Barracks. The dance was sold out and everyone had a good time. Sunday morning there was a memorial service at the monument of the Battle of the Bulge. Attending were allied reenactors and members of The Gateway Chapter of the Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge.  Sunday’s battle at noon was an intense fight, with an even more intense brush fire that started as a result of the pyrotechnics. With dry grass and heavy winds, the fire was a challenge to put out, but it was extinguished before the fire department arrived.  No reenactors required medical attention, but a few were singed in the fight. On a personal note. I would like to deeply thank all of the reenactors that helped douse the blaze.  On top of eighty degree weather, a hot sun beating down, wearing wool, and already partially exhausted by the battle. they still managed to put out the fire under extremely hot circumstances. THEN, continued the battle for the delight of the audience. From the bottom of my heart I thank you all. It shows your dedication to our hobby, and your steadfastness in the face of adversity. It makes me proud to be part of this experience with all of you. Thank you for your attendance and support of this event, both public and reenactors alike.

Sgt. Kevin Owens

D Co. 2nd Ranger Bn  (reenacted)

Just a few days away from our biggest event of the year, WWII Weekend at Jefferson Barracks, St.Louis county Park. Since my last post there have been many updates. So many that I have been too busy to update this blog, I apologize. I spoke with  the office at the park. Their phone, and mine as well, has been ringing off the hook. We will be having amazing weather this weekend, which will bring out people not only locally but people have been calling from all over the midwest wanting to see this event. It sounds like we will have a record numbers in attendance.

Last year we had 19 re-enacting units. This year we will have 30. Which means we will be having record numbers of re-enactors in attendance. We are anticipating numbers close to 400.  We will also be having a record number of vendors this year. From nationally known vendors such as At The Front, and Hessen Antique, All Era Militaria, and many more,  to independant vendors wanting to sell off their collections.  Calls and e-mails came flooding in after seeing articles in West Magazine, AAA Midwest Travel Treasures, Suburban Journals, The New York Times, and more. These articles can be found by clicking our MEDIA link.

I really hope you chose to spend your weekend with us. You will not regret it.

Thank you,

Cpl. Kevin Owens

President,  U.S. 2nd Ranger Battalion of St.Louis, Inc.