This may be a question some don't like....or talk about...but I hope so.

[Dale Beasley]

While attending the Independence Bowl with my many of my family, especially a cousin, who is a Colonel who graduated from the Air Force Academy...we had some deep conversations. Many were about Life Changes and many about what we now do to enjoy ourselves in the future following the Military.

Two comments that stood out were:

1. There is an Elephant standing in the middle of the living room, everyone knows its there and no one wants to admit to it....the other was

2. "Good is the Enemy of Better."

I thought about what we both said , and I have given it very much thought, in a lot of things I do in life, my work, where I am going in the next few years, and one being in this our hobby.

This the beginning of the 150th Events. What are we going to look at that is wrong with ourselves, and what are we going to do to make our ourselves better. (Most of us are darn good at what we do) I feel these events will be the end of many of us, however. Me being one, I told my boys that after I take them to Gettysburg, that I was thinking about retiring from this Army as well. I want to go down with a blaze, and pass on to the next generation the ability to carry this hobby to the next 10 years.

What can we all do to ensure that these events are the best ever for ourselves and what can we do for these events to bring us closer, and to be able to give those remaining the recruiting tools to continue to build on into the 2020s?

[4VADRUMMER]

Re: This may be a question some don't like....or talk about...but I hope so.

Nice post! It's funny, as a unit (Liberty Hall) we've had this discussion in a round about way. I've been involved in this hobby since I was eleven years old (23 years)! In that time I've got to see some amazing things and I've watched the hobby grow quite a bit in historical accuracy. Having been involved since the end of the 125th I know how big some of these 150th events are going to be. The youg bucks haven't a clue! Someone in my unit actually made the commit "You really think the events will be that big?" Anniversaries bring about a whole new aspect to the hobby. While yes it's true that farbs will be out in full force, it's also true that we will get to see some really cool stuff! I remember at my first event (125th Gaines mill) watching a full horse drawn battery race to the front during the battle! That site is still so vivid in my mind still to this day and how at awe I was of those artillery men. I swear life flashes by us so fast! To think I was just a little boy then not really into the hobby until I saw that artillery unit race by. Its the little things like that that make this hobby so great and addictive! This hobby is and has been my one outlet to spend time with friends and play music. That's what life is all about! It's definatley not about work and the daily grind! Personally I'm dedicating my life to this hobby for the next four years. I want to put the best possible impression out there for folks to see. Especially on the music side of the hobby there is a lot of room for improvement and I think things have already been set in motion to change those things. The 150th is going to only make the hobby better in the long run while also bringing about some growing pains. I just wonder where we will be in five years?

Thank you for you service! I am a prior service Marine and miss the "Big green Machine" a lot. However, when I was in the Marines there was no Civil War reenacting for sure!!

[Jubilo]

Re: This may be a question some don't like....or talk about...but I hope so.

Dear Sir,
We can focus on history and cooperate with one another for the common good of promoting our American Civil War Heritage. "Go blue!"
all for the old flag,
David Corbett

[GWagner]

Re: This may be a question some don't like....or talk about...but I hope so.

Dear Sir,
We can focus on history and cooperate with one another for the common good of promoting our American Civil War Heritage. "Go blue!"
all for the old flag,
David Corbett

Well said Mr Corbett, well said. Even if you is a real yank!

[dirtyshirt]

Re: This may be a question some don't like....or talk about...but I hope so.

During the 135th Anniversaries I was very much in transitional/progressive mode, and remember at the Sharpsburg event feeling like I was completely failing the memory of Civil War Soldiers and their legacy. So I strived to change everything about my impression for the better. Now being older, I think the best thing to do is research research research every aspect of every impression we do for the next 4 years. We need to not ride the coat tails of the event organizers and go off whatever is posted on the event website. We need to bring a collective knowledge to every event we attend because the next 4 years isn't about going to what will probably be the biggest national events we've seen, they are about bringing the memory of the Soldiers to forefront in such a way as to honor them to the fullest.

My two cents I suppose.

[Secesh]

Re: This may be a question some don't like....or talk about...but I hope so.

Personally I see the ranks of reenactors thinning over the years due to the high cost of acquiring authentic gear and uniforms. Most young people, especially in light of today's economy and cost of living, simply cannot afford it...

[LibertyHallVols]

Re: This may be a question some don't like....or talk about...but I hope so.

Back in the day...
There were a number of dirt-poor hardcores, living like bohemians, travelling from event to event. That didn't stop them from having top-end uniforms and gear.

Being young may place you on the low end of your lifetime salary scale, but it also places you on the low end of your "committed time" scale. You've got fewer committments and responsibilities hogging your time. Learn to sew, make accoutrements, or make shoes. The hobby gets real cheap real quick when you make your own stuff.

...besides, the hobby needs more skilled artisans.

[dirtyshirt]

Re: This may be a question some don't like....or talk about...but I hope so.

Back in the day...
There were a number of dirt-poor hardcores, living like bohemians, travelling from event to event. That didn't stop them from having top-end uniforms and gear.

Being young may place you on the low end of your lifetime salary scale, but it also places you on the low end of your "committed time" scale. You've got fewer committments and responsibilities hogging your time. Learn to sew, make accoutrements, or make shoes. The hobby gets real cheap real quick when you make your own stuff.

...besides, the hobby needs more skilled artisans.

I agree with ya John. It's going to be good to see ya next weekend bud!

[tenfed1861]

Re: This may be a question some don't like....or talk about...but I hope so.

Good post sir.We mustn't forget that one can always do Reconstruction events.The public generally tends to forget the Civil War officially ended in 1865,but was still being fought until,well,even into the 1960s with such things as Bloody Sunday,Mississippi Burning,and the Orangeburg Massacure.One can do an impression to talk about the political termoil that will still be around after the war.Of course,one could also go on and do civilian impressions.Maybe do an event talking about what it is like to return home after being gone for so long and the trouble one is having to adjusting back to civilian life.There are a number of ideas that can keep you in the hobby that doesn't have you marching around toating a musket.

[Kace]

Re: This may be a question some don't like....or talk about...but I hope so.

[QUOTE=LibertyHallVols;193206]Back in the day...
Being young may place you on the low end of your lifetime salary scale, but it also places you on the low end of your "committed time" scale. You've got fewer committments and responsibilities hogging your time. Learn to sew, make accoutrements, or make shoes. The hobby gets real cheap real quick when you make your own stuff.
QUOTE]

An addition to John's post. "Back in the day..." When I was in college while I maybe was not making real money. I seemed to have a higer percentage of it as disposable income. I never seemed to lack the money I needed for my hobbies. Now with mortage, kids, insurance and a myraid of bills, it takes more planning to make sure the funds are there when needed for the hobby. BUT, you can bet I have been saving up and budgeting to be ready for the next few years.

Kace

[Jboring]

Re: This may be a question some don't like....or talk about...but I hope so.

Personally I see the ranks of reenactors thinning over the years due to the high cost of acquiring authentic gear and uniforms. Most young people, especially in light of today's economy and cost of living, simply cannot afford it...

Speaking personally as a "younger" reenactor getting into this hobby I have to disagree with this. If anything, I will choose to spend my "greenbacks" more effectively. The equipment that I buy will be decent the first time, rather than incurring the cost of having to re-purchase to fix a mistake made on sutlers row. It might also teach those younger than myself an appriciation for proper fiscal management. This hobby is very doable on a tight budget, one just has to be patient, listen to the "old men" of the hobby, treat the artisans and craftsmen(women) they deal with with the proper respect and patience and they will see quality kit accumulating in thier closets. All this without them putting a hurting on thier other "needs and wants."

I think the most important part of that will be swiftly taking new recruits and prospects under your wing early as I have with some of the people I have dealt with. I ask before I do anything, and as a result...I waste much less money. I believe this "soldier welfare" approach will serve well in gaining and maintining newer, younger recruits and help insure the future of the hobby.

[Secesh]

Re: This may be a question some don't like....or talk about...but I hope so.

Well Gents, time will tell...

[Irish Bill]

Re: This may be a question some don't like....or talk about...but I hope so.

Back in the day...
There were a number of dirt-poor hardcores, living like bohemians, travelling from event to event. That didn't stop them from having top-end uniforms and gear.

Being young may place you on the low end of your lifetime salary scale, but it also places you on the low end of your "committed time" scale. You've got fewer committments and responsibilities hogging your time. Learn to sew, make accoutrements, or make shoes. The hobby gets real cheap real quick when you make your own stuff.

...besides, the hobby needs more skilled artisans.

As someone who has been progressing towards a better impression and someone who is still new (this will be my 4th season), I can 100% agree with you. I am not quite "dirt-poor" but I have found that learning to make items myself has been considerably cheaper and fun. I do have a bit more time than someone who say has a family but it is still limited because of college and work.

I have hope for the future of reenacting and would like to see the younger generations who are getting into this hobby do it the right way. I think that because of technologies that are available today and the ease of information that can be shared could bring an increase of numbers to this side of the hobby. One thing I have noticed is that people I know in the mainstream crowd have seen the progress I have made and they have shown interest in improving thier impression as well. There will be some who dont care and I have no right to wave the finger at them but I will always be there for those who need help. That is what I will do to pay it forward for those who have helped me to "de-farb" myself.

[Dale Beasley]

Re: This may be a question some don't like....or talk about...but I hope so.

See one ..Do one...Teach one...I think that the next 4 years will show this.

[csuniforms]

Re: This may be a question some don't like....or talk about...but I hope so.

I believe that the politics of the country for the last 5 years have put a bad taste in every ones mouth. We all share the same fears of what does the future hold for the country. Will we go broke? will Government get bigger? etc. etc., will Government correct itself? These are the proverbial monkeys on our backs. I say-- we are Americans! We are different. We do things different. We think differently than other peoples. We are hard to beat when attacked-- we are hard to beat because we believe--
Enough preaching-- Get out there and celebrate our 150th! We cant be beat on this one. Do your part and have fun. The country will correct itself in time with some intestinal fortitude, sacrifice, and prayers.

Dont let it get you down

Csuniforms
Tom Arliskas