"Reclaiming or Heritage" June 5-6

[Robert Braun]

The Reclaiming our Heritae event, sponsored by the Soldier's Home Foundation, Veteran's Administration in Milwaukee is scheduled for June 5-6. It has evolved from a CW event to a Wisconsin History timeline event, and we have been recruited for two years now to portray 1830s persona and BHW militia. Believe me... they REALLY want us there!


The site is located at 5000 West National Ave. in Milwaukee. Detailed maps were sent out with the Spring edition of the "Miners' Journal" newsletter. If you are taking the 895 bypass around the west side of Milwaukee, you can exit at either National Ave. OR Greenfield Ave. and head east... as Greenfield eventually intersects with National. After this interssection, continue east on National. The VA will be on your left.

And yes.. there a little rain in the forcast. So what? After Fort Atkinson, we can take just about anything--- unlike half the pre-registrants for Fort Atkinson, who weenied out after a single dose of the "Weather Channel."

See you there....!

[Robert Braun]

Well, I arrived at "Reclaiming Our Hertage" not knowing quite what to expect... but familiar with the VA grounds where I did my internship in 1979-80. It was good to be back!

Friday night Steve Merkel and I, along with Betsy and Ian set up tents and housekeeping at our "assigned spot" as part of the "pre-Civil War" history area... and we renewed aquaintences with many chums on the CW side.

In truth, the event was (in many ways) better that I exected. Our site/location was perfectly shaded; we were close to water and privies, and the extent of the program and the range of reenactors present was truly amazing. And there were steady streams of visitors Saturday; less so Sunday. Mary and Betsy outdid themselves with a delightful repast-- a fantastic pork roast Saturday and an equally fantastic lemon chicken, all courtesy of Betsy's tin kitchen. Our militia drilling was fun Saturday (heck, we were in our first real parade!) and better Sunday, with drill and firings.

Were were flattered by many compliments, and thouroughly enjoyed seeing so many veterans out and enjoying the day. We also appreciated the one Vietnam Veteran who sought us out while we were packing up, to thank us for our Black Hawk War era impressions and camp. "It's not something you see all the time, so I was really glad to see you folks out here." Heck-- just his comment alone made the weekend worthwhile!

All in attendance agrees that we should strongly consider this event for next year!

Bob Braun