what is wrong with people

[1stMo Drummer]

Re: what is wrong with people

I agree I like the way we've turned this thread around. One of the only real instances of getting cheated is after allowing a "recruit" to barrow an Enfield for an event. At one point in the event (mainstream) we were standing on a paved road and the said recruit proceeded to bang the butt of the gun on the asphalt, causing the stock to split and break off about a 6x4 chunk out of the bottom. When it came time to leave, he gave the rifle back w/o mentioning it, then when asked if he picked up the chunk to be re-attached he said uhh no its no big deal just buy a new stock.
That being said, i could retell hundreds of instances of being treated like a King by fellows I had met only minutes prior. Best group of people I think one can be around is the group of people we have on here.

[Mcguire]

Re: what is wrong with people

I agree I like the way we've turned this thread around. One of the only real instances of getting cheated is after allowing a "recruit" to barrow an Enfield for an event. At one point in the event (mainstream) we were standing on a paved road and the said recruit proceeded to bang the butt of the gun on the asphalt, causing the stock to split and break off about a 6x4 chunk out of the bottom. When it came time to leave, he gave the rifle back w/o mentioning it, then when asked if he picked up the chunk to be re-attached he said uhh no its no big deal just buy a new stock.
That being said, i could retell hundreds of instances of being treated like a King by fellows I had met only minutes prior. Best group of people I think one can be around is the group of people we have on here.

UNREAL! You almost want to follow an A-hole like that to his car and bang the hell out of one of his fenders. When he asks, "Uhh, what did you do that for?", just explain that it's no big deal just buy a new fender!

[sthabig]

Re: what is wrong with people

UNREAL! You almost want to follow an A-hole like that to his car and bang the hell out of one of his fenders. When he asks, "Uhh, what did you do that for?", just explain that it's no big deal just buy a new fender!

I agree 100%... somebody would not be getting away doing that to my gun. I would be having him pay for a new stock!

-Tyler

[1stMo Drummer]

Re: what is wrong with people

Well he did pay for it to get fixed at least, but only after he was told "Your paying to get it fixed" lol

[Guy Gane III]

Re: what is wrong with people

I have much to contribute to this post.

I've lived it. I know these "cats" and I will wait to spout my story.

[GreencoatCross]

Re: what is wrong with people

This is reminding me of two guys that I know. They're somewhat aloof manner used to be endearing to me, as a long-time friend, but it's gone from slightly funny to downright abusive.

Several years ago they attended an event up here in Michigan but bugged out early due to heavy rains. In their haste to depart they grabbed not only their own rifles but another belonging to one of the nicest guys in the company. He realized his rifle was missing...no one knew what to make of it for several days until the father and son who left early were contacted. They had the rifle, agreed to send it back, but waited for several weeks. When the rifle was finally returned it was practically useless with rust. The two responsible for the mistake said "well it's HIS rifle" after someone asked why they didn't clean it for him. They just had it propped up in their basement for weeks while the thing rusted out.

They were like this and way worse until recently...I could tell stories for hours. Unabashed begging, borrowing, or guilting a mutual friend to buy them new gear/clothing seems to have gone on for a while too! They eventually admitted they don't really like reenacting at all but just enjoy the theme camping aspect of it and promptly "fell back" a bit.

Then there's the guy who ruined Dan Wambaugh's USSS knapsack and Garrett Sharps rifle...but that's something we usually try to forget about!

[Marc]

Re: what is wrong with people

Then there's the guy who ruined Dan Wambaugh's USSS knapsack and Garrett Sharps rifle...but that's something we usually try to forget about!

Ruined a Garrett!!!!!..that is an execution offense. :baring_te

[BenjaminLDavis]

Re: what is wrong with people

I hate to play devil's advocate in reverse here, but there are still quality folks getting into
the authentic end of the hobby - some of the new, young fellers just joining the ONV
are the very best sort, and I would loan them whatever they needed without a second
thought.
But there is sometimes a problem with loaning gear to someone you do not know,
who does not know the value of that gear . . . we had one in the progressive group
I joined when I started in the hobby, and he was BAD NEWS! Everybody has seen
at least one . . .

[Andy Ackeret]

Re: what is wrong with people

I once loaned a man a shirt. It came back drenched in so much sweat, that you'd swear it had been submersed in water.

I won't say his name, but I'll say he posted right before I did. You could say the top of my post borders the bottom of his post.

[MD_Independent]

Re: what is wrong with people

The people on this forum that actually attend Ebufu events are rare. I made it a rule that I would loan everything I have to someone doing a good event simply because I know enough people who would keep an eye on my gear if I wasn't present. I wouldn't loan stuff out for a mainstream event. It's a rule that has kept my stuff safe and sound. And I'll continue to loan it out to people I know if they have someone they need to kit out for a good event.

[Justin Morris]

Re: what is wrong with people

Way to be subtle with the hints Andy!

[Ken Knopp]

Re: what is wrong with people

I have to respond to this....Normally, I don't usually read these threads (no time) much less respond to them but my wife is out of town so here I am. Without exception, the BEST people I have ever met, my best and most faithful, true friends come from this hobby. Action speak louder than words.........
I live in south Mississippi. The eye of Hurricane Katrina passed right over us. Needless to say we got our asses kicked. With over 100 large trees down on my little fifteen acres (many of them on my house, fences and barn), the roads impassable, my family of three plus in-laws were literally locked in and in shock. Devastation is a word not near good enough to describe it. No power, little food and water and no communication but....I had a full charge on my cell phone and some good friends that "called me" offering to come. After twenty-five years in this hobby my reenacting skills came in handy to cook and clean over an open fire for several days but more importantly, I have accumulated a few friends and I thank GOD for it every day.
It was my cavalry/reenacting "pards" like Dennis Landry, Doug Kidd, Doug Locke, David Jarnagin, Coley Adair and others that called, offered to come help and then, did come. Even my own brothers and sisters did not do that. Concerned? Yes, but to come to my family's rescue? No. All these guys offered to come, some sent money but my good friend Dennis Landry (with others help) bought up supplies, took time off from work, drove the 300 miles to my home with a full truck load of provisions, a generator, fuel and chain saws. Got there in two days. He stayed several days, helped cut us out and (in another story) quite literally saved my father in law's life. I could tell alot more but suffice it to say it was my old reenacting pards that were there for me when I needed them most.
Sure, there are fools, immature brats, selfish deadbeats and con-men out there but even after all of the good times and memories, I will go to my grave thankful to GOD for this hobby and the REAL friends it has provided me.

Ken R Knopp

https://www.confederatesaddles.com

[FloridaConscript]

Re: what is wrong with people

There are creeps in every facet of life, but this is a truly unique hobby. Where else do you meet up with folks a couple times a year, or maybe once every 2 years and sleep out in the weather, on the ground, often sharing blankets? At Resaca this past May, it poured both nights. I found myself crammed under a fly with the NSR boys, with Ernie Dollar on one side and Dan Brennan on the other. Hadn't seen either one in 5 years, easy. We picked up conversation, and shared provisions, and space like we had seen each other last week. Same with Chad Gray at KNoxville. Last saw him at Picketts Mill in 01. picked up like we were neighbors. this few experiences in no way come close to what brother knopp experienced, but it is remarkable the friendships that are forged based on a handful of weekends over a few years time.

[Guy Gane III]

Re: what is wrong with people

I concur with Ken, by saying that some of my closest and best friends are people I met from this hobby. Hands down, there are friends within this community who show more tact and good values than most others I come in contact with.

Now for the good stuff. I know Eric Wisbith. We met on the filming of "Fields of Freedom" in 2005 and became fast friends. "Wiz" served in the USMC Artillery in Iraq. We have attended several movies together and several events, as well, since '05. He is a good reenactor and has a lot of knowledge. His only downfall is that he has sticky fingers sometimes. Last July, we did a tour for a local tour company and when it was over and he was getting ready to leave, he happened to 'liberate' a few of my uniforms and equipment. I had a school program to do for a close friend and came to realize that a lot of my stuff was missing. I wrote him an email that morning, (my father also had a heart attack at 4am that same day), saying that I was disappointed in what he had done to me and that he should promptly send back anything that was not his. A few days later, I got most of it back. I continued to be friends with him, thinking that I would give the benefit of the doubt that he just "mistakenly" grabbed my stuff in a rush to leave.

Enter Michael Grz eskowiak.

Mike and I had met at a tour company in January of '08, along with his girlfriend, Jennifer Cunningham. They were Farbs with a dismounted Cav unit and seeing them as often as I did, I offered to help them out. I spent HOURS and DAYS going over things with them (drill, uniforms, quality makers, etc.), much to the chagrin of my then-girlfriend. Over a few months, they both went on a shopping spree and bought a lot of their stuff from NJ. Sek.

One day, I get a phone call from Nick and he tells me about how Mike did this and that to him and that he was very upset. I talked to Mike about it and his basic attitude was that he couldn't care less. Thus started my wariness about him.

Time went by, we still hung out and made a few things together and I asked Mike, Jen & Eric's help on an upcoming train tour. All the time leading up to it, Mike was exhibiting a very shady attitude toward everything CW. He was getting into WWII and when Mike would come to events (such as AHT) he would fall in for drill and then would disappear for a while. I would see him reemerging from the woods and saying that he is through with the weekend and was going into town. His being overweight and a recent neck surgery made it "too much" for him.

I came to find out that he was trash talking me, guys from my home unit, guys from the LR, basically anyone that wasn't him.

Needless to say, I was very disturbed and very hurt by all that was happening.

I went back into town a day after the event was over and was trying to coordinate how we were all driving back to Buffalo. We had been offered a room at the Colton and then just before we went out to eat, Jen and Mike broke out with a "We're f'n out of here". It was about 930p-10pm. The drive home is about 6.5 hours. So then they left.

I went to eat with some 49th NY guys and then I got back to Colton and then just decided to come home. I came home around 630am.

Over the course of the next few months, Mike did more shady things and then started a malicious campaign of hating on me and my family. We did nothing but be kind to these people and that's the thanks we all got.

Recently, I heard that Eric Wisbith came to live with Mike & Jen, here in Buffalo. Now, since I have not talked to any of them in a long time (and I never care to again, after what they have done to me), I saw that Mike was selling most of his CW gear on the CWReenactors forum. I know everything he owned and could easily pick up who was selling this stuff. I followed the posts and saw that some of my friends were in a potentially dangerous position of buying things from them and I warned them about Mike.

Mike is a user & a con man. My personal feelings are much deeper than just that, but I shall refrain from getting too upset. I have been afraid that my once-close friend, Eric had fallen into a bad crowd.

Personally, I believe that the fella who bought the Carty Box from "Eric" was actually buying it from Mike. Why, you may ask? Because I know this guy. He has used several fake names to log on to the AC & CW forum. Every time he sells his "lot" of stuff, it mysteriously is all sold within a few days. Eric, deep down, is a good person. I know it to be true, but have always seen him sway toward people who weren't trying to be his friend, but someone who can be of use to him at the moment.

To sum it all up, I would contact the Post Office concerning mail fraud. This jerk needs to be stopped. He has hurt MANY people in this area and I fear that he will strike again, if not stopped.

Any questions, I would be more than happy to talk. (GWGane3@aol.com)

I am sorry to hear about your misfortune, Mr. Wilson. I hope it all works out.

Sincerely,

[BenjaminLDavis]

Re: what is wrong with people

I once loaned a man a shirt. It came back drenched in so much sweat, that you'd swear it had been submersed in water.

I won't say his name, but I'll say he posted right before I did. You could say the top of my post borders the bottom of his post.

Hey, it was very authentic - I am just rereading "Service With The Sixth Wisconsin
Volunteers," and Rufus Dawes is writing to his wife about the Battle of North Anna -
letter is dated May 25th, 1864: " . . .The bullets clip through the green leaves over my
head as I lie behind the breastworks writing. I have had no full night's sleep since May 7th,
when I took command of the regiment. Day after day, and night after night we have marched,
fought and dug entrenchments; I HAVE NOT CHANGED MY CLOTHING SINCE MAY THIRD."
(Caps are mine.)
So ~ some sweat is not a big deal (course, Andrew does have a point - it was a very
hot day, and it was a LOT of sweat . . .!)