World War II Days Among Largest in U.S.

World War II Days Among Largest in U.S.

By Toni Rocha

Once again, Midway Village Museum will host one of the largest World War II reenactments in America. World War II Days will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 21, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 22, on the 148-acre campus at 6799 Guilford Road, Rockford.

Both entertaining and educational, World War II Days offers visitors the chance to learn about one of the most influential eras in world history, while witnessing battle scenes play out. World War II engaged the entire world, and its impact is still being felt today.

The event includes carefully screened authentic equipment including vehicles, tanks and many other artifacts.

“Visitors will truly be amazed as they walk through and view the encampments the reenactors create to depict life as a soldier,” says Lonna Converso, Midway Village Museum director of marketing and social media. “More than 1,200 reenactor soldiers and civilians will participate.”

Midway Village Museum has invited several presenters to share their unique perspectives on World War II. Among them, author John Ulferts offers insight through his book, “Always Remember - World War II Through Veterans’ Eyes.”

“I was teaching through the Department of Defense Dependent Schools in Germany in 1990,” Ulferts says. “We visited concentration camps that really brought home what war was like for so many. At Auschwitz, we saw rooms filled with human hair, toys taken from children. It drives home what was at stake.”

From this experience, Ulferts started writing letters to WWII veterans to thank them. Before long, 140 veterans had responded, 20 of them Medal of Honor recipients. Based on Ulferts’ correspondence, he decided to write their stories.

“One talk will be on daily life during the war and a second will focus on readings from chapters,” Ulferts says. “On Sunday, I will speak on the liberators who freed the concentration camp prisoners.”

Ulferts profiles Rockford resident Art Sander, who was shot down over Germany, captured and imprisoned in Buchenwald.

“He was captured by Hitler’s SS,” Ulferts says. “Art was one of 68 such fliers singled out by Hitler, who called them the terror fliers.”

While war raged in Europe, Africa and the Pacific, the American homefront was deeply involved in programs and training to aid in any and every way they could.

In Rockford, the war efforts came closer to home with a little known but valuable troop of dedicated women known as the Women’s Ambulance Safety Patrol (WASP). Volunteer Mary Rose says this group of about 300 women played a key role in keeping the community confident in America’s might.

Rose will be presenting W.A.S.P. at 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday at Midway Village. “I first learned about W.A.S.P. from a scrapbook in the archives at Veterans Memorial Hall & Museum,” she says. “I had no idea they existed. You’ll find nothing about them online.”

In her talks during the WWII event, Rose will share this original Rockford history.

“They began in 1940 and created the first ambulance safety program in the nation,” she says. “What set them apart from all the others is the women also became trained mechanics.”

Through the valuable information in the scrapbook, Rose says she learned that WASP was mentioned about 240 times in Rockford newspapers of the 1940s.

“They also participated in parades and actively trained at Camp Grant,” she adds. “My goal in making these presentations is to honor their spirit and memory. Sadly, I have been able to find only about 200 names of the 300 who were involved. I’m hoping to find more through this presentation.”

Additionally, on Friday, Sept. 21, Midway Village Museum opens its doors for a preview of the WWII event for school students, allowing a backstage look at how the event is developed. Educators may call ahead to arrange for field trips on Friday.

Also on Friday a World War II Days Behind The Lines Tour begins at 5:30 p.m. and offers a glimpse of World War II reenactors camps scattered around the Midway Village Museum grounds. The cost is $10 per member or member guest. Members may call (815) 397-9112 with any questions or to register.

Visitors to Midway Village Museum during WWII Days will have the opportunity to see close up how war was conducted. Just hearing each country’s language spoken by its reenactors is enough to transport onlookers into a different time and place.

Admission is $14 for adults; $12 for veterans and active military members; $8 for children 3 to 17; WWII veterans are free. Parking is free to members and $2 for non-members.

For more information, visit midwayvillage.com or call (815) 397-9112. ❚