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If you asked a dozen acknowledged P/C/H units what they thought about attending mainstream events you'd probably get a dozen different answers. Some see it as destructive to the P/C/H movement; some see it as helpful; some just don't see it at all.
The GHTI has historically attended 1 or 2 mainstream events every year. Our mission has been specific at every one of those events - put our best foot foward, participate to the fullest and let the mainstreamers see for themselves what the GHTI is all about.
Recently I was asked why we were attending a particular mainstream event and I answered that question in a letter which may be going into the newsletter of the host unit for that mainstream event.
I thought I'd share that letter with you all and see what kind of discussion it might generate. This is not a promotion of mainstream events nor is it a defense of our decision to attend them periodically. The GHTI believes some good can come from our attendence... it works for us, with our unit and in our area of the country. It probably doesn't work for everybody.
Here's that letter:
Recently I was asked why my unit, George Henry Thomas' Invincibles (the
GHTI), was planning to attend some mainstream events in 2004. When I
explained myself, the listener seemed surprised by the answers and asked if
I could write them down for others to see. This is my written reply.
Reader, we're aware that there are stereotypes at work and that mainstream
groups/commanders might be unsure about our attendance at their events. I'd
like you to understand that the GHTI has a history of attending mainstream
events - not to show-off or make trouble but to fully participate. You may
have seen elements of the GHTI in recent years at various events such as
Jackson, Hastings, Fort Wayne, Hartford City and this year Billie Creek. We
don't attend every one of those events every year but we do try to get
around. When we anticipate enough fellows for a company we'll normally
contact the leadership of the event in advance to let them know we plan to
attend and that it's our intent to cooperate fully.
Secondly, we're not there to make waves. You won't see us standing toe to
toe with field commanders arguing the way they dress, the way they drill or
the way they perform on the battlefield. Quite simply, we believe that when
an officer takes the field he is in charge and his chain of command needs to
be kept in-tact and unchallenged. I often tell the men of the GHTI that even
if your officer is wrong, he's right. There's a place to point out
grievances or inconsistencies but that place is not on the drill field.
Third, we don't attend mainstream events to snap farb-photos or to sit off
in the distance ridiculing others. When men in the mainstream decide to
pursue a more progressive/hardcore impression - they often times feel the
need to distance or separate themselves from their mainstream roots. These
men, fresh from the mainstream, will often sit in the weeds and toss insults
and aspersions upon groups that not long ago, held their respect. I submit
that these fellows aren't hardcores at all... and if you're garnering your
impressions of hardcores from them, you're not getting an accurate and true
reflection of who we really are.
Fourthly, we don't presume to have all the answers. We feel like we can
learn from mainstream groups just as mainstream groups might be able to
learn from us. Recently Mark Mason of the GHTI regaled us all in regard to a
drill conducted by the Cumberland Guard at Hartford City last October. Mark
was very impressed with the manual of arms as taught and executed by the
guard and felt we in the GHTI could learn much from that exercise.
Finally, we're not attending your events to recruit your membership. Many
would look for an ulterior motive where none exists. We're attending to
enjoy ourselves just as you are. We're hoping by supporting your events,
mainstream groups will understand that we are there to help and if asked -
we'll gladly extend our hand to share.
When we attend a mainstream event, we expect it to be a mainstream event...
we don't fashion unrealistic expectations for ourselves and then decry
feigned outrage when those unrealistic expectations are not met. We don't
expect you and your events to be perfect. We hope that if you attend an
event that we promote that you'll give us that same allowance.
We do however expect events to be what they say they are - a certain amount
of truth in advertising. We probably all agree on that point, regardless of
how we look upon various issues of authenticity.
Have a great and safe season and we look forward to working with you.
The GHTI has historically attended 1 or 2 mainstream events every year. Our mission has been specific at every one of those events - put our best foot foward, participate to the fullest and let the mainstreamers see for themselves what the GHTI is all about.
Recently I was asked why we were attending a particular mainstream event and I answered that question in a letter which may be going into the newsletter of the host unit for that mainstream event.
I thought I'd share that letter with you all and see what kind of discussion it might generate. This is not a promotion of mainstream events nor is it a defense of our decision to attend them periodically. The GHTI believes some good can come from our attendence... it works for us, with our unit and in our area of the country. It probably doesn't work for everybody.
Here's that letter:
Recently I was asked why my unit, George Henry Thomas' Invincibles (the
GHTI), was planning to attend some mainstream events in 2004. When I
explained myself, the listener seemed surprised by the answers and asked if
I could write them down for others to see. This is my written reply.
Reader, we're aware that there are stereotypes at work and that mainstream
groups/commanders might be unsure about our attendance at their events. I'd
like you to understand that the GHTI has a history of attending mainstream
events - not to show-off or make trouble but to fully participate. You may
have seen elements of the GHTI in recent years at various events such as
Jackson, Hastings, Fort Wayne, Hartford City and this year Billie Creek. We
don't attend every one of those events every year but we do try to get
around. When we anticipate enough fellows for a company we'll normally
contact the leadership of the event in advance to let them know we plan to
attend and that it's our intent to cooperate fully.
Secondly, we're not there to make waves. You won't see us standing toe to
toe with field commanders arguing the way they dress, the way they drill or
the way they perform on the battlefield. Quite simply, we believe that when
an officer takes the field he is in charge and his chain of command needs to
be kept in-tact and unchallenged. I often tell the men of the GHTI that even
if your officer is wrong, he's right. There's a place to point out
grievances or inconsistencies but that place is not on the drill field.
Third, we don't attend mainstream events to snap farb-photos or to sit off
in the distance ridiculing others. When men in the mainstream decide to
pursue a more progressive/hardcore impression - they often times feel the
need to distance or separate themselves from their mainstream roots. These
men, fresh from the mainstream, will often sit in the weeds and toss insults
and aspersions upon groups that not long ago, held their respect. I submit
that these fellows aren't hardcores at all... and if you're garnering your
impressions of hardcores from them, you're not getting an accurate and true
reflection of who we really are.
Fourthly, we don't presume to have all the answers. We feel like we can
learn from mainstream groups just as mainstream groups might be able to
learn from us. Recently Mark Mason of the GHTI regaled us all in regard to a
drill conducted by the Cumberland Guard at Hartford City last October. Mark
was very impressed with the manual of arms as taught and executed by the
guard and felt we in the GHTI could learn much from that exercise.
Finally, we're not attending your events to recruit your membership. Many
would look for an ulterior motive where none exists. We're attending to
enjoy ourselves just as you are. We're hoping by supporting your events,
mainstream groups will understand that we are there to help and if asked -
we'll gladly extend our hand to share.
When we attend a mainstream event, we expect it to be a mainstream event...
we don't fashion unrealistic expectations for ourselves and then decry
feigned outrage when those unrealistic expectations are not met. We don't
expect you and your events to be perfect. We hope that if you attend an
event that we promote that you'll give us that same allowance.
We do however expect events to be what they say they are - a certain amount
of truth in advertising. We probably all agree on that point, regardless of
how we look upon various issues of authenticity.
Have a great and safe season and we look forward to working with you.
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