B/502, one of the Ohio chapters of the 1st Allied Airborne WWII Reenactors, held their annual planning meeting for the 2011 reenacting season at the MAPS Air Museum in Greensburg, Ohio.In addition to having the chance to tour the C-47 currently being restored in the storage yard, members of the squad reviewed last years activities, weapons and equipment issues, recruiting, improving our impression, and elected unit officers for the next two years.
Patrick Eddy will continue to serve as the squad sergeant and Chris Smith will continue as the organization chairman, also overseeing the coordination of the 1st Allied Airborne on behalf of all of the member units around the country. Bob Penix was elected to serve as the squad corporal.
The key order of business was to set a schedule for the 2011 unit activities. Here is a breakdown.
24-27 March: Operation Nordwind Tactical - Ft. Indiantown Gap, PA
This is an invitation only event and is separate from the Battle of the Bulge event held at the Gap in January. The event features some of the highlights of the the January Gap (shopping, barracks life, etc) but is more focused on the military engagement between Allied and German forces. There is greater period vehicle participation as well, including armor. The squad also wanted to continue to work as part of the combined I&R platoon comprised of our counterparts in the 83rd and 90th IDs.
30 April: Civil War and Military Show - Mansfield, OH
B/502 will be doing some recruiting at the annual collectors show which is attended by thousands of military history enthusiasts. Last year, we picked up several new members.
21 May: Armed Forces Day Show - Findlay, OH
Day trip for the unit. Lots of shopping, living history encampment and demonstration battle.
25-26 June: Dennison Railroad Depot WWII Reenactment - Dennison, OH
New dates for the annual reenactment at the old Dennison Railroad yard. This is a max-effort unit event.
15-17 July: Ride Through History - Alliance, OH
Another new date for this timeline event. Features a living history encampment and demonstration battle. This past year, we had some great rotating scenarios.
6 August: The Military Vehicle Preservation Association National Convention - Dayton, OH
Day trip to the annual convention of the MVPA. Three years ago the event was held in Dayton and was the largest MVPA convention ever held. The 2011 convention promises to be even bigger. For more information visit http://www.mvpa.org/.
