Lest We Forget of Southwestern Michigan, a regional veterans organization, will hold a World War II weekend of re-enactment events in St. Joseph and Benton Harbor on the weekend of June 20-22, 2008. Activities will include re-enactment landings of D-Day and Pacific islands at Tiscornia Park in St. Joseph, military and aircraft displays, and evenings of entertainment including a USO show and dance, as well as performances by an Ernie Pyle re-enactor and Bob Heft – the creator of the 50-star American flag.
Retired Army Colonel Don Alsbro of Benton Township, a Vietnam veteran and leader of Lest We Forget (LWF), said this will be the largest undertaking ever for LWF. Alsbro said the weekend directly supports the organization’s goal of supporting educational and memorial activities so that today’s generation will appreciate the service to their nation by previous generations and, hopefully, not have to repeat the sacrifices made by their grandparents and parents.
The weekend will start on Friday with a catered picnic and outdoor evening of entertainment at the Shadowland Pavilion located at Silver Beach. The program includes a tribute to hometown hero Army Lieutenant General Robert L. Van Antwerp Jr. (a St. Joseph High School and West Point graduate currently serving as the Commanding General, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers), an Ernie Pyle show, a presentation on the American flag by Bob Heft, and a commander’s briefing on the Saturday re-enactment landings.
On Saturday morning at 10 a.m. and noon there will be en-enactments of the Pacific island and D-Day landings that the public can view from the North Pier. Period music will be provided by the St. Joseph Municipal Band during the intermission between the landings, and both landings will be initiated with simulated bombing runs by vintage B-17 and B-25 bombers. The activities then shift to the Southwest Regional Airport in Benton Harbor for the remainder of Saturday and Sunday. There will be several military and historic displays at the terminal, military aircraft (B-17, B-25, C-47, and UH-1H Huey (Vietnam med-evac helicopter 369 offering rides) and vehicles for viewing, and a re-enactors encampment. The day will include several demonstration skirmishes by Russian, German, and U.S. re-enactors. In the late afternoon, there will be a military vehicle parade through St. Joseph and Benton Harbor.
On Saturday evening, there will be a USO show in the Fiskar’s hanger at the airport with live, period band music (also provided by the St. Joseph Municipal Band), performance by Andrews sisters re-enactors, and clips of Bob Hope’s shows followed by a USO dance. The local Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Chapter 585 will be providing breakfast, lunch, and dinner throughout the weekend.
Sunday will include a non-denominational field church service and several military skirmishes by re-enactors. Most of the activities will be free, but there will be fees for rides in the bombers and helicopter, as well as the EAA chow line.
Alsbro said Lest We Forget will need the assistance of many support volunteers to successfully conduct these events. Organizations and individuals who want to help should contact Hank Richmond at 269-982-0151. Those who have questions about aircraft and airport operations may contact Lee Scherwitz at 269-927-3194. For questions on military vehicle activities contact Dale Jeffers at 269-429-3733. Individuals, foundations, and organizations desiring to make tax-deductible contributions should contact Jim Brinkmann at 269-983-7700. Commercial and private organizations desiring space in the program should also contact Jim Brinkmann. General participation questions can be addressed by Alsbro at 269-925-7176.