The 2007 Mid-Atlantic Air Museum brought WWII History To Life!
June 2007, Reading Pennsylvania hosted it's 17th Annual WWII Weekend. The Biggest, Best and Most Comprehensive Commemoration of World War II in the world.
My two brothers and I spent the day at Readings biggest and best WWII weekend event. There was plenty to see and do to say the least. Re-enactors strolled about, in full uniform, answering questions and acting as if they themselves had served in the great war. It was a hot day. Low to mid 90's. There was plenty of food and drink, as well as an enormous variety of military gear and souvenirs to purchase. We took lots of pictures, some of which are posted and some video. We had a great time. We were also fortunate to meet some of the men and women veterans who served and fought for the United States. That was a real treat and we were grateful to meet them.
Events Included:
- Air Show: Featuring famous WWII aircraft on the ground and in the air.
- Military vehicle show: Allied and Axis vehicles parading about the grounds.
- 1940's Entertainment Festival: Two Big Band hangar dances, Theresa Eaman, Carolyn Hannan, "Bud & Lou," Base Club, Roving Shows and Military Personalities.
- Multiple War Front Displays: Allied, Axis, PTO, ETO, and Mediterranean encampments.
- WWII Artillery Show: Cannons Online was displaying for the first time a large collection of U.S., German, and Japanese artillery.
- Great American Home Front Displays: 1940's house, Gas Station, Radio Stations, Department Store and Vintage Cars.
- WWII Battle Re-Creations: Skirmishes in a re-created French Village to a large scale demonstration battle.
- Militaria Flea Market: Over 150 local and national vendors.
Special Guests:
- Gen. Tex Hill, Flying Tigers Ace
- Maj. Theodore Van Kirk, Enola Gay Navigator
- BM2 Marvin Perret, Higgins Boat Commander
- BM2 Mike Kuryla, U.S.S. Indianapolis Survivor
- Col. Joe Peterburs, P-51 Pilot
- Maj. Hank Heim, B-17 Pilot and Pearl Harbor Survivor
- Capt. Bob Bolinder, ETO P-61 Pilot
- Capt. Luther Smith, Tuskegee Airmen
- Lt. Gene Richardson, Tuskegee Airmen
- Lt. Len Lomell & Sgt. Frank South, D-Day Rangers
- Lt. Frank Speer, Pilot 4th Fighter Group
- Lt. Carl Constein, C-46 Hump Pilot
- Sgt. Bill Fili, B-24 Engineer/Top Turret Gunner
- Sgt. William Miller, Upper Turret Gunner "Panchito"
- Sgt. Larry O'Rourke, Manhattan Project
- Sgt. Paul Gordon, B-17 Ball Turret Gunner
- Sgt. Frank Lashinsky, B-24 Tail Turret Gunner
- Cpl. Richard Wheeler, Iwo Jima Marine
- Instructor Mary Feik, Fighter Pilot Transition Trainer & Recepient "Charles Taylor", Master Mechanic Award
- "Rosie the Riveter" Mae Graybill, Glenn Martin Plant
- Evangeline Coeyman, U.S. Army Nurse and Concentration Camp Witness
- Oberleutnant Walter Schuck, German Ace
- Historian David Colley, "POW Roundtable"
- Prof. Michael Chorney, "Women at War" Roundtable
- Lt. Buck Compton, Sgt. Don Malarkey and Cpl. Forrest Guth, "Band of Brothers"
An excerpt from the 2007 brochure.
The Reading Army Airfield will spring back to life as dozens of rare WWII aircraft will fill the encampments, ramps, taxiways, and sky. Pick up on the unmistakable sounds of radial engines, feel the drone of the B-17 and thrill to the sound of superchargers. Photograph the colorful paint schemes and unique nose art, as the mind suggests that it is 1944. Inspect these powerful machines up close on the ramp and view the tremendous progress on the restoration of the super rare P-61 Black Widow night fighter that was plucked off the top of Mt. Cyclops in New Guinea by Eugene "Pappy" Strine's recovery team in 1990.
R. Lee Ermey Gunnery Sergeant, USMC, Host of The History Channel's 'Mail Call' Program
The star and host of the History Channel's "Mail Call" series announced that he will be back for the third consecutive year in 2008 during a speech at the Saturday night Hangar Dance. The popular movie and TV star considers the WWII Weekend the benchmark by which all other WWII commemorations are judged.
Photos taken at the 2007 Air Show!
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