Armed Forces Day 2008

"Beyond St. Lo" Tactical Battle

The 2nd I.D. was back in action on May 10th for our spring tactical battle. A number of our guys headed out to the event site just north of Mondamin, Iowa on Friday morning. We spent our time scouting the area and digging fire pits. Casey, Sean and I headed in to Mondamin to fill water cannisters and grab a bite to eat at the local bar & grill. In the early evening, a group of us geared-up and went on a patrol to the top of the site's highest point. The view was pretty impressive as the sun set over the western horizon! Upon returning to camp we ate some fried spam and popped open a few K-rations. Mmmmmm!!! Our group sat around the fire telling stories and enjoying our time together until close to midnight. The skies clouded-up and the temperature dropped quite a bit during the night. I was glad that I brought two blankets and had access to one of Big Dave's cots. Right around 5:00 a.m. we heard the rain begin to gently fall on the big GP Medium tent. As the guys began to wake-up, it looked like the weather might bring about a premature end to our plans. But reenactors love a good battle and they began to show up around 7:00 a.m. We had Germans and Allies show up from Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and South Dakota. After a hot breakfast of eggs, sausage, sinkers, and coffee, the commanders prepared all of the combatants for the day's first scenario. We headed out under a steady rain to find a hidden fuel dump, secure it, and hold off any German attempts to take it. The fighting was pretty intense and very wet - I was thoroughly soaked from the waist down. My roughout boots each felt like they had a full sponge inside them! We broke for lunch around noon and headed back to camp where Rick and Dave had hot beef stew, peaches, and rolls waiting for us. After a satisfying break we headed back out for another scenario. I was on Sgt. Rowe's maneuver team for this one along with Pvt. Casey Sill. We quickly but quietly maneuvered up a hill and around through the tree line to flank the German position. We passed down through one of our old fighting positions known as "Turkey Shoot Ridge" and then out on to an island of trees and brush. In our final assault we were all valiantly mowed-down by the alerted Germans and fell before reaching our objective. Spirits were high among all of the men as the day drew to a close. We struck camp and all headed home for a hot shower and a good night's rest. I was pretty banged-up and exhausted from the day's activities and in need of some TLC from my wife and daughter. It's when I head home from one of these day-long battles that I really begin to appreciate what soldiers like our grandfathers have suffered through for our nation. That one day of misery that I experienced was played out by them over and over again for months on end. And through it all they were losing friends and comrades all around them. In closing, as silly as our reenactments may be, they definitely give me a greater appreciation for the tremendous sacrifices of our nation's veterans.