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)
SGNT OWENS
JUST WANTED TO TAKE THIS TIME TO SAY THANK YOU TO ALL THE PEOPLE WHO HAD A PART IN HONORING WHAT OUR GRANDPARENTS DID DURING WWII. THIS IS THE THIRD YEAR I HAVE ATTENDED AND THE FIRST TIME WITH MY 13 YR OLD SON. HE WAS IN AWE…SOME OF HIS COMMENTS WAS ABOUT THE UNIFORMS BEING SO HOT AND HOW THEY MUST HAVE JUST “IGNORED THE DISCOMFORT”. SOMETHING FEW OF US DO THESE DAYS. AS MY WIFE WOULD PUT IT I AM A WWII GEEK AND I GOT TO SEE SEVERAL PIECES OF EQUIPMENT AND VEHICLES THAT I HAVE NEVER SEEN BEFORE, INCLUDING A WORKING MODEL AF THE MINATURE BRITISH ASSAULT VEHICLE. KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK. MAY WE NEVER FORGET.
BOB H
SGNT,
This was my father and my first time at WW2 weekend. We were in AWE. I wanted to stay the whole day on Saturday, but we had to leave early because I had to work. I just wanted to say, the displays, the reenactors, the vehicles, and the battle were all top notch. My dad and I have been collecting WW2 stuff for about a year. Thank you for all that you guys do to honor those men that fought. Who knows maybe next year you will have 2 more reenactors!!!
Thanks for coming to the event. We are glad to put it on for you. What do you know? We have 2 openings in our unit.
Hello, Dear 2nd Rangers and Associates,As always all of You do a wonderful job at World War 2 Weekend. This year 2009, I took over 300 pics, so out of those I’m still putting the finishing touches on them to add in my Yahoo History Group entitled: WorldWar2Weekend_JeffersonBarracks_StLouisMoSincerely Yours, L. Kevin Turner (Associate Lifetime Member VBOB Missouri Gateway Chapter Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge)