From: Cor Streutjens (cstreutjens@hotmail.com)
Date: Thu Oct 10 2002 - 23:11:35 PDT
I agree with you. I became interested during a holiday spent in Normandy
where I visited the invasion beaches. I won't ever forget the feelings
walking on the shorelines, through the villages, the cemetary behind Omaha
Beach. To me there is no green toys, no GI Joes, only respect for the
individuals who risked their lives thousands of miles from home to fight a
war so we can live our lives today in (relative) freedom. Every OD vehicle
can be seen as some kind of a monument to them. So to my humble opinion
there is nothing wrong with what we do (maybe even wearing German uniforms,
something I personally would never never do because although I was born in
1958 it still feels far too, well, evil if you understand what I am trying
to say. Please remember that over here in Europe there are still many people
living who actually suffered horribly during the occupation and do not wish
to be confronted with anything WWII German to this day) as long as there is
respect (I can't think of a better word right now) for those who were and
still are actually involved.
Apologies for rambling a bit,
My two (Euro)cents' worth,
Regards,
Cor
The Netherlands
1956 M38A1
>From: "GOTAM35" <gotam35@sc.rr.com>
>To: <mil-veh@mil-veh.org> (Military Vehicles Mailing List)
>Subject: Re: [MV] Reenactors have no right!!! unless they were there
>Date: Thu, 10 Oct 2002 17:36:56 -0400
>
>I don't agree with most of what you have said, but I feel your opinion is
>important because of the subject matter. I have become interested in WW2
>in
>recent years, and the main reason is the fact that so many good people gave
>so much to ensure we can sit here today and do what every we wish. I find
>that entertainment is not a very noble thing to do with one's time. I
>collect and watch movies about "war", but not to be entertained, but to try
>and put myself in the place of these people that did what had to be done.
>I
>find myself able to endure difficult circumstances when I reflect on the
>conditions that many of these people had to endure.
>
>I would not cause anyone, especially people like your father and brother,
>any discomfort by driving a truck around with a green outfit on. If
>someone
>confronts me and expresses such feelings I will apologize and try to
>express
>to them my deep appreciation for their service. This has not yet happened.
>
>There is one point that we all must consider about our hobby here. How
>does
>it affect the upcoming generation. Lets face it, they're not doing very
>well. I have worked the Boy Scouts and church groups for about 20 years
>now, and the kids today don't have the respect for one another they should,
>especially for veterans. It is opinion, OPINION being the key word, that
>we
>must do everything we can to help them understand that freedom is not free.
>They usually get everything they want. I don't think they really
>understand
>that people have to die or take another's life for us to be "free". Last
>years attacks in New York may have woke some up, but most are still asleep.
>Parades, shows, and freedom celebrations can play a part in this
>"awakening".
>
>I feel intentions are what you must look at. Some people burn the flag
>because they know it offends people. I don't think anyone of this list has
>a MV to try and offend anyone. I'm sure some of us get a ego trip out of
>it, but I think many of us know when the veterans are gone, maybe these
>vehicles will be a testimony that war really does happen. Those that
>forget
>history are doomed to repeat it. No one wants to repeat these wars.
>
>No offence intended here. I really do appreciate what the veterans out
>there have done for us all. I hope I can live my life in a manner to show
>my appreciation, not just say it. I truly believe a tasteful event, even
>one with re-enactors, can make some people aware of what others have did
>for
>us. That should, in my opinion, be a part of why we collect these things.
>If it's not were just a bunch of car collectors that like green.
>
>Joe Trapp
>
>
>
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Drs. C. Streutjens
Technisch Applicatie Consultant SAP
Pinkroccade Industrious
Tel 06 2952 4968
c.streutjens@pinkroccade.com
cstreutjens@hotmail.com
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