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WWII Encampment to Present Living History

Wednesday, 07 May 2008

The Sandusky County Historical Society will be hosting a WWII Encampment, June 7 and 8 on the grounds of the museum at 514 Birchard Avenue, Fremont. Visitors will witness, and learn about, an authentic WWII Pacific Theater squad encampment. Personnel from the Northcoast Veterans Memorial & Museum Society, located in Gibsonburg, will present the living history display. Rex Postlethwait, Curator of the Northcoast Veterans Museum, Gary Cooper, Jack Batesole and other volunteers, will present a living history display consisting of two large tents, several pup tents, a dining tent and everything a soldier would need in the Pacific Theater during WWII.  Postlethwait, Cooper and Batesole are all retired career servicemen, all three serving during different conflicts. The three men now share a good deal of their time working at the Northcoast Veterans Memorial and Museum Society. Red Cross volunteers will be on hand to give out donuts and coffee.  Participants in the living history display will be representing Company B 148th Regiment of the 37th Infantry Division, which was Rodger Young's unit. A scale model of Rodger Young's tombstone will also be on display. Bob Gillmor will have his M-37 Dodge 3/4 Ton Weapons Carrier on display, and Batesole will be displaying one of his WWII era Jeeps. On Sunday morning at 10 a.m., WWII veteran, Ralph Clink will portray a WWII Chaplain, and conduct an authentic WWII field worship service. Inside the museum will be many displays concerning WWII, and music of the era will permeate the museum and grounds all weekend. Food will be served from Noon until 4 p.m. on both days. One of the common field foods might be a big pot of chili, accompanied by cornbread and some fruit cocktail. This will be the fare on both days. Ice cream and other desserts will also be available. The food will be prepared and served by Amy J's Catering of Fremont. The Society would like to invite all Sandusky County citizens to send in a 5 by 7 copy of a picture of any WWII veteran with a connection to Sandusky County. If you, or a relative, served during WWII, and live in Sandusky County, please send in your picture. If you live in Sandusky County, and have a relative who served, whether, or not, they lived in Sandusky County, please send in their picture. "We will assemble all of the photos and create a tribute wall to all who served," says Eachus. After the event, all pictures will be put into a binder and added to the library at the Northcoast Veterans Museum. Identify each picture with the name, rank, branch of service, period served, and the connection to Sandusky County. Send a copy of your photo(s) to: WWII Project, 514 Birchard Ave., Fremont, Ohio 44883.