This year was the 25th year of 26 years I have attended this show. The only year I did not attend was 2020, due to the COVID cancellation. If you have an interest in WWII, you will not be displeased by this show. It is not properly advertised; it is truly a unique experience to attend as a visitor and see the vast display of everything WWII. In years past, you would see WWII Veterans quietly wandering around the place, many times enmeshed in their own thoughts and memories. Many, many times, I was told that this event brought back memories to WWII veterans which had never been spoken and were shared with families as their relative was at this event. It is an immersive display of all things WWII. From the civilian culture in the US where all the GI's originated in their home towns, to enlistment, to training, to service, to (simulated) combat, to all the services which kept them in combat represented by such things as the Brockaway Bridge Crane in the one photo, the medical battalions and field hospitals, and the jeeps flurrying around (230 vehicles were there this year), this event captures WWII in a way no other could capture it. I tell people, and I am not insincere about it, that my life is composed of WWII Weekend at Reading every June, and all the rest of the days between WWII Weekends at Reading.
You need to come to this event. First of all, its proceeds support the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum (
www.maam.org) and the restoration and maintenance of its fleet of vintage aircraft. Second, by attending the event you give respect to the memories of the millions of Americans, and America's Allies (no disrespect intended, just too many to mention) who prosecuted WWII, defeated Nazi, Fascist, and Imperial Japanese totalitarianism and preserved the freedoms we enjoy today. Third, you will enjoy yourself. I haven't spoken to anybody who has attended this event who was un-impressed by its scope and practice.
I'm going to be honest here about some of the downsides of this event. There are some small discomforts to deal with in order to attend the event. First, $39.00 seems like a lot to pay to attend a single day for this type of event. I challenge you to find the other expansive WWII event which is cheaper and better. Second, you have to park remotely and take a bus to the grounds. The service is a bit slow at peak times, but that is what happens when you put an event on at a regional airport with limited parking surrounded by a busy industrial and commerical area. Third, I think they could do better with food vendors. Fourth, the weather can be hot. Lastly, I can also tell you that if you are a WWII-phile and know everything about WWII, you might notice some things which are not EXACTLY how they were in the period 1941-1945. If those things alienate you, I am sorry to say you will miss an incredible event if you can't put them aside. But it still is an incredible event.
I have told people that when this event comes to an end, as happens to all organically grown mass events like it,there will be such a lamentation about its loss precisely because it cannot be duplicated, and will never, ever be replaced. Many have tried to replicate this event, and either made a limited, grudging imitation, or failed to carry it off.
So come to the next event, which should be the first weekend in June 2024. I hope to see you. If you want to get together to talk about Sergeant Pilots, I'm your man, and will be there unless physically unable.
Best Regards,
Forgotten Field- 14th Liaison Squadron (Reenacted)