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Gentlemen,
I've lurked around the forums here for quite some time now without posting. I started reenacting about 8 years ago, and after about 3 years, I kinda lost interest. I was (and am currently) with a mainstream unit. They are really good fellows, and while not 100% authentic, they are not a farb fest either. I think I lost interest because i felt like we as a group weren't growing. I am of the opinion that in this particular hobby, growing is more than more muskets in the ranks. I believe that growing, also includes, working towards the most authentic representation you can present. Anyway, after about 3 years I slowly began to sale off my gear and withdraw from the hobby. It's been 5 years now and I'm think I'm ready to take the field again, and try to honor the memory of those men who donned the blue and the gray, and I have the Authentic Campaigner to thank. Because of my lurking and reading the articles and topics here, I realized that even in a fantasy land of too many cheifs (bad officer impressions) and not enough indians (bad impressions all around) that I can make a difference. My willingness and effort to be more progressive, can influence and motivate my mess mates. When I fall in wearing proper brogans and uniforms, or carrying the proper leathers and period personal items and the guys around me start asking questions and oohing and ahhing over the quality, that is my oportunity to influence and point them in the right direction. If my efforts only influence 1 or 2 guys, then I've done proper justice for the men of the actual period...especially if those 1 or 2 guys take what they've learned and each of them influence a couple more people themselves. I know that it's a slow and trying process, but i don't think it's impossible. I know that we'll never reach 100%, but that should always be our goal.
Again, i just wanted to say thank you to the Authentic Campaigner community. You ladies and gentlemen, are difference makers, and your work and research is not wasted. I recommend the site to everone I know that is interested in the period, whether they are part of the hobby or not. There is much to be gleaned from the pages here, even if it's just for general interest and knowledge.
With the highest respect,
Chris Graves
I've lurked around the forums here for quite some time now without posting. I started reenacting about 8 years ago, and after about 3 years, I kinda lost interest. I was (and am currently) with a mainstream unit. They are really good fellows, and while not 100% authentic, they are not a farb fest either. I think I lost interest because i felt like we as a group weren't growing. I am of the opinion that in this particular hobby, growing is more than more muskets in the ranks. I believe that growing, also includes, working towards the most authentic representation you can present. Anyway, after about 3 years I slowly began to sale off my gear and withdraw from the hobby. It's been 5 years now and I'm think I'm ready to take the field again, and try to honor the memory of those men who donned the blue and the gray, and I have the Authentic Campaigner to thank. Because of my lurking and reading the articles and topics here, I realized that even in a fantasy land of too many cheifs (bad officer impressions) and not enough indians (bad impressions all around) that I can make a difference. My willingness and effort to be more progressive, can influence and motivate my mess mates. When I fall in wearing proper brogans and uniforms, or carrying the proper leathers and period personal items and the guys around me start asking questions and oohing and ahhing over the quality, that is my oportunity to influence and point them in the right direction. If my efforts only influence 1 or 2 guys, then I've done proper justice for the men of the actual period...especially if those 1 or 2 guys take what they've learned and each of them influence a couple more people themselves. I know that it's a slow and trying process, but i don't think it's impossible. I know that we'll never reach 100%, but that should always be our goal.
Again, i just wanted to say thank you to the Authentic Campaigner community. You ladies and gentlemen, are difference makers, and your work and research is not wasted. I recommend the site to everone I know that is interested in the period, whether they are part of the hobby or not. There is much to be gleaned from the pages here, even if it's just for general interest and knowledge.
With the highest respect,
Chris Graves
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