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Post by Otto Verkaufer on Aug 27, 2014 0:59:03 GMT -6
I've committed to providing our presence at the Oconto Air Show on 13 September 2014. The show is Saturday and last year drew 7,000 people for air rides and display viewing. They expect more attendees this year as Manitowoc cancelled their offering. We were at this a couple of years ago and Steve and I really enjoyed the venue (see old report under AAR for Sep 2012). They already have Allied troops arranged to attend and so I only have to worry about the German encampment. Please PM me if you can attend, and I'll build the list up. I might have to limit participation for this one so indicate if you can tent it or need support in that department. No battles or blankfire allowed and no campfires but we can cook on stoves. This is located on western side of Sturgeon Bay and is a private airport. I think this could prove to be a good recruiting venue as well. We'll be paired up with folks from 7th Panzer again if they elect to support this. I'm thinking a truck and gun for now but we might do the halftrack too. We have the option of arriving as early as Thursday if we just want to conduct training and enjoy camp life Thursday and Friday but have to be ready to dazzle the public on Saturday. If we got some training in, that might work well. Let me know if you'd like the three day option or two.
Mike - 53d Auf. Abt.
Steve - 53d Auf. Abt.
Troy - 53d Auf. Abt.
Mike W. - 53d Auf. Abt.
Curtis - 7th Pz
Jeff - 7th Pz
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Post by Otto Verkaufer on Aug 27, 2014 0:59:41 GMT -6
We are approved for anytime after 1pm for arrival at this event on Thursday 11 September. If you get there early we can do some training and camping. Looking forward to this. We are six total now for this event which should look good in camp.  |
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Post by Otto Verkaufer on Sept 15, 2014 10:19:48 GMT -6
We'll this past weekend we attended this event and it was fun. Wilhelm, Jurgen, Franz and Otto were the attendees and we also had Randy Lamers show up to represent the US forces which I appreciated. Arriving on Thursday we set up camp and spent that day training. It was cold and grey but no rain. Friday however was a different story. Rain and cold all day and it didn't stop raining till 4:30 am on Saturday. Then it started drying out and show day was pleasant and slightly breezy which dried the camp. We did a 2-minute spot on Fox 11, Green Bay showing the camp and inviting people to participate and that was on the morning news and I also interviewed with Oconto's newspaper for a story. I was also told the event is getting bigger. The TBF Avenger was a big hit and we met an 8th Armored Vet who told us some tales. I always enjoy meeting with the real thing and he was really sharp and engaged at the event. The track ran great and the new engine upgrades really seem to have licked a problem. I believe it is actually on the verge of being dependable.  Our camp being readied.  A view of the American camp next to ours. There was another American who brought a tool truck but did not camp and he and his wife added to the American reenactors.  Elsa in her favorite pose.  A group shot. I'll have to get my resolution settings increased for future pictures. |
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Post by Wilhelm Buddenhagen on Sept 17, 2014 18:03:14 GMT -6
This event was a lot of fun with just the right number of spectators,not too busy,not too slow. A thank you to Steve for the hot meals that hit the spot on the cooler,damp Fri.
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Post by Otto Verkaufer on Sept 30, 2014 22:43:05 GMT -6
I was contacted by a member of the planning committee for the 2015 Oconto event and we are invited back for next years show 19 Sept 2015. They are going to discuss some ideas for expansion of the event in coming months including possible public battles and expansion of the reenactor participation to 40-members which would be significant. I'll notify here if any major changes are allowed. If so, we might get HRS recognition and advertise it to interested units to participate. But even without changes this is a nice event I plan to keep on our schedule. BTW - they got a lot of positive comments on our contributions to the success of their event so that's nice to hear.  |
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