By Spc. Anthony Bryant
14th Public Affairs Detachment
Historical military re-enactors from the Colorado Military Historical Group render a salute during a flag raising ceremony at the 4th Infantry Division Museum living history day June 3, 2017, at Kit Carson Memorial Park. (Photo by Spc. Anthony Bryant)
A living history day was held June 3, 2017, at Kit Carson Memorial Park in honor of the “Ivy” Division and its military actions since its inception a century ago when it was organized to combat Germany in World War I.
Coordinated by the 4th Infantry Division Museum staff, the living history day came alive thanks to the efforts of about 20 agencies including the division’s 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team and 4th Combat Aviation Brigade; the 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson Mounted Color Guard, Fort Carson Red Cross, Al Kaly Shriners and re-enactors from the Colorado Military History Group.
Joseph Berg, museum director, dressed up as Oddball from “Kelly’s Heroes,” a 1970 war comedy about a group of World War II Soldiers who go absent without leave.
Vietnam veteran Retired Master Sgt. Glenn Husted re-enacts a typical scene on a fire base in Vietnam as he performs field maintenance on the M1911 pistol at the 4th Infantry Division Museum annual living history day June 3, 2017, at Kit Carson Memorial Park. (Photo by Spc. Anthony Bryant)
“I hope people really take away a good family experience, and that they enjoy getting to meet Soldiers and getting to see what Soldiers did, and do, on an everyday basis,” Berg said. “It’s really about bringing people together and bringing generations together.”
Plenty of military children never figure out exactly what their parents do, Berg said. Whether their parents pilot a helicopter, put rounds in a howitzer or drive a Stryker, some military kids never get the chance to see that vehicle and actually connect with what their parents do at work.
Automatic rifles, an M777 howitzer, M1126 Stryker and an AH-64 Apache attack helicopter were among the attractions available displaying the 4th Inf. Div.’s current combat capabilities. But in honor of the division’s
Pvt. Tyler Holliman, infantryman, 1st Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, fits a curious attendee with an improved outer tactical vest at Kit Carson Memorial Park June 3, 2017, during a living history day. (Photo by Spc. Anthony Bryant)
100-year history, elements of its past, including weaponry, gear and uniforms, were put on public view.
Maj. Terra Dawes, whose father and grandfather both served in the Army, brought her Family to the living history day.
“My son likes to see the vehicles and the Soldiers,” said Dawes, deputy commander, 438th Medical Detachment (Veterinary Service), 10th Combat Support Hospital. “There’s enough out here for the kids to do; to talk with the Soldiers about their vehicles and to be able to go into (the equipment). The hands-on is really important for the kids.”
She said her son knows she’s a veterinarian, but he doesn’t know who she supports. The living history day gave her son the opportunity to meet the Soldiers she supports.
Re-enactors recreated World War I, World War II and Vietnam — all conflicts involving the 4th Inf. Div. — interacting with the public to help them understand what it was like to be a Soldier during that era.
Capt. Grahm Nordlund, commander, Company B, 4th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, 4th Aviation Regiment, 4th CAB, dressed as a World War II Soldier as a member of the Colorado Military History Group, an organization comprised of civilians and active-duty members who collect historical memorabilia to keep the nation’s history alive.
“We never want to forget the sacrifices that our forefathers made to make this nation so great,” Nordlund said. “Living history is a public display to raise awareness and allow a very unique opportunity to come and demonstrate the equipment that our grandfathers and great-grandfathers actually used.”
The 4th Infantry Division Museum’s next living history day is scheduled for June 9, 2018.
Staff Sgt. Randy L. Gales and Spc. Angela Paolilli, 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson Mounted Color Guard, provide carriage rides to attendees at the 4th Infantry Division Museum living history day at Kit Carson Memorial Park June 3, 2017. Mules were once used to pack artillery and other supplies up the Ute Pass from then Camp Carson to Camp Hale, with the final mule units deactivated in 1956. (Photo by Spc. Anthony Bryant)
Retired Lt. Col. Nathan K. Watanabe, right, explains the individual components worn by a Vietnam-era Soldier during the 4th Infantry Division Museum’s annual living history day June 3, 2017, at Kit Carson Memorial Park. (Photo by Spc. Anthony Bryant)
Capt. Grahm Nordlund, right, commander, Company B, 4th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, 4th Aviation Regiment, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, and Kyle McCully re-enact a World War II battle position June 3, 2017, during the 4th Infantry Division Museum’s living history day at Kit Carson Memorial Park. (Photo by Spc. Anthony Bryant)
Cpl. Devin Watkins, infantryman, Company B, 1st Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, explains the parts and functions of the M2.50 caliber machine gun to attendees at the living history day June 3, 2017, at Kit Carson Memorial Park. (Photo by Spc. Anthony Bryant)
Historical military re-enactors from the Colorado Military Historical Group render a salute during a flag raising ceremony at the 4th Infantry Division Museum living history day June 3, 2017, at Kit Carson Memorial Park. (Photo by Spc. Anthony Bryant)