The above quote was from the character Erich Fellgiebel, as portrayed by Eddie Izzard from the WWII movie Valkyrie (2008). I thought it was an appropriate title to use for the first post on our unit blog.
As a new unit within the WWIIHRS, we get asked the question a lot "What makes us different?" Especially from potential new members. It is a very valid question and one that is often overlooked by other re-enactment units. For the new member, its THE most important question that needs answered.
First, we do not deliberately try to be different. We are not competing with other units. For us its not who wins or loses, but rather how we play the game. Because of this philosophy we do end up being different even though that's not our driving force. We just try to run things the best way we can.
Second, we try to create an environment that members really want to be involved in. We want members to look forward to upcoming events with anxious anticipation. We encourage new ideas and discussions. Since this is a hobby that you could potentially spend thousands of dollars on to participate, why shouldn't you have buy-in and ownership of the unit you belong to?
Third, we volunteer to help out the event coordinators whenever they say they are short handed. We like to lend a helping hand. At a Battle of the Bulge event, we used our vehicle to transport other units to and from the battles and assisted with running their canteen (snack bar). At WWII Weekend this year, we again used our truck to transport units to the battlefield. This was especially important on the second day of the event, because all the other troop transports left early and we were the only large troop truck left to help out. Our unit members also volunteered to help out with traffic control.
Lastly, we try to build positive relationships with other units, both axis and allied. We try to introduce ourselves to units we have never met before whenever we can. We invite others over to share our unit meals. We welcome both axis and allied re-enactors to visit our camp. At WWII Weekend in St. Louis, one small German unit did not have enough food for all of their troops, so we invited them over to share our meal during the lunch break between battles.
So if you ever do wonder "What makes us so different?" I would say, we try harder.
Regards,
- 29th Panzergrenadier Regiment
As a new unit within the WWIIHRS, we get asked the question a lot "What makes us different?" Especially from potential new members. It is a very valid question and one that is often overlooked by other re-enactment units. For the new member, its THE most important question that needs answered.
First, we do not deliberately try to be different. We are not competing with other units. For us its not who wins or loses, but rather how we play the game. Because of this philosophy we do end up being different even though that's not our driving force. We just try to run things the best way we can.
Second, we try to create an environment that members really want to be involved in. We want members to look forward to upcoming events with anxious anticipation. We encourage new ideas and discussions. Since this is a hobby that you could potentially spend thousands of dollars on to participate, why shouldn't you have buy-in and ownership of the unit you belong to?
Third, we volunteer to help out the event coordinators whenever they say they are short handed. We like to lend a helping hand. At a Battle of the Bulge event, we used our vehicle to transport other units to and from the battles and assisted with running their canteen (snack bar). At WWII Weekend this year, we again used our truck to transport units to the battlefield. This was especially important on the second day of the event, because all the other troop transports left early and we were the only large troop truck left to help out. Our unit members also volunteered to help out with traffic control.
Lastly, we try to build positive relationships with other units, both axis and allied. We try to introduce ourselves to units we have never met before whenever we can. We invite others over to share our unit meals. We welcome both axis and allied re-enactors to visit our camp. At WWII Weekend in St. Louis, one small German unit did not have enough food for all of their troops, so we invited them over to share our meal during the lunch break between battles.
So if you ever do wonder "What makes us so different?" I would say, we try harder.
Regards,
- 29th Panzergrenadier Regiment