Revisiting history

Kevin Reynolds

kreynolds.roundupnews@gmail.com

The elderly man looked out over the smoke-filled field at the men on horseback, listening to the canons boom. This was the first Civil War reenactment he had ever attended but was far from the first battle.

WWII veteran Judge Arthur Alarcon, a decorated soldier who fought in the Battle of the Bulge in Normandy, was invited to watch this year’s Heritage Days Civil War historical reenactment as a special guest.

The 86-year-old ninth circuit judge, who has seen far worse carnage than this reenactment can create, still has the straight back posture of a military man.

His demeanor, though pleasant, still came with the sharp, clipped responses that military men have.

He was a sergeant in the Army Infantry during the war. He received a bronze star and a purple heart during the battle of the bulge. He was also the recipient of four battle stars and a combat infantry badge.

“This is my first reenactment,” Alarcon said. “It’s been great, and this campus is beautiful.”

Alarcon’s presence in the reenactment was just one on many events that attracted families and spectators the Pierce College Farm Center.

This was the third reenactment to take place at Pierce College. The event included a presidential press conference with “Abraham Lincoln”, Civil War period dancing, and a historical clothing presentation.

“This is an opportunity to bring a historical program to L.A.,” Robert McBroom, Farm Center director, said. “This has received huge support from campus administration.”

This event did not reenact any particular battles but focused on demonstrating certain types of battles that were common during the war.

“We were focusing on earthworks and breastworks,” Ed Mann, reenactment coordinator and acting Confederate colonel, said. “We use those mounds of dirt that are out in the field to plan our attacks around.”

There were two battles each day of the event, one at noon and the other at 3 p.m.

The preparation for the event took about a month to complete, according to farm tech Steven Lander.

The Farm Center grew barley in the