The National Park Service is pleased to announce that a free World War II living history encampment will take place on Saturday, July 23, 2016, 9 am to 5 pm, just west of Pearson Air Museum. This event is in partnership with the Living History Group Northwest, a local World War II living history organization.
“There is over 150 years’ worth of history to interpret at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, and the U.S. Army’s history at Vancouver Barracks definitely includes World War II,” said Acting Chief Ranger Bob Cromwell. “During World War II, this was the Vancouver Port of Embarkation, and Army units were organized, equipped, and shipped out to combat theaters in Africa, Europe, and the Pacific from Vancouver Barracks.”
The living history re-enactors, dressed in World War II uniforms, will portray members of the 113th Cavalry, the 8th Infantry Division’s Battalion Aid Station, members of the U.S. Army Air Corps, as well as the women who worked during the war, commonly known as “Rosie the Riveter.” The encampment will include period weaponry, tents and equipment, including Army jeeps, trucks, a M3 Stuart light tank, and a BT-13 advanced training airplane. The encampment will be set up to the west of Pearson Air Museum, on the eastern edge of the park’s popular Spruce Mill trail.
“We are excited to partner with the National Park Service to bring a World War II living history event to Fort Vancouver National Historic Site,” said Eric Porter, Unit Commander of the 113th Cavalry Living History Group. “We look to making this an annual event, and to participate in other living history opportunities at the park, such as their Campfires and Candlelight event in September.”
The public is invited to stroll through the encampment, talk to the living history re-enactors, and to get a close-up view of their uniforms and equipment. Pearson Air Museum will be open during the event, and the public is encouraged to park in the museum’s parking lot, or along East 5th Street.
