Dear Members of the Atlantic County Historical Re-enactors and prospective members,

 

 

I would like to open by thanking all of the members of the 7th for the overwhelming confidence you’ve shown in electing me President. I humbly thank you.

 

 

2015 will be a bitter sweet year within the re-enactment community. It marks the end of the four year cycle of 150th anniversary events. For many, memories have been made through friendships created, massive events attended, and more. Sadly, we see re-enactors leave the hobby, after years of involvement, departing on a high note, with their goal of seeing it through the 150th cycle (which, as you know, is nearly complete.) We’ve also seen re-enactors take up arms, or become valued civilian re-enactors, having started in the hobby as a result of the mainstream media highlighting events during the 150th anniversary.

 

 

I’ve watched over the year as much gear has been put up for sale, for it to be purchased just as quickly. Members are joining various Facebook discussion groups. New members of the re-enactment community are purchasing gear, and asking questions, while seeking advice and guidance from seasoned re-enactors. In my humble opinion, these are not people seeking simply to jump on the 150th bandwagon, and do a few events so they can say "I was there"; instead, these are people with a sincere interest in becoming not just re-enactors, but living historians. I believe this is the perfect time for us, the 7th NJ Co D, to expand our ranks, share our experiences, reach out to the community as a whole, and share our excitement for our hobby.

 

 

Personally, it was my hope to simply make it through the 150th events, adding memories to those I made at the events I attended 25 years ago. However, the past few years have given me the drive to push forward so I can start looking to the 160th events. And, with God’s help, I will watch my son take the field at the 175th events while I sit in a chair wearing my light blue "invalid corp" uniform. But that's all years from now. Let’s look forward to the upcoming year of events. Let’s get excited about recruiting new members, swelling the ranks, and becoming a line company to be respected.

 

 

Let’s also not forget that we have a strong foundation on which to build. Dave Hann, our past President has done a great job in moving our organization in a steady, positive direction. He’s stepped down as President, but not as a member. He’s handed over the reigns to others, yet is not leaving; instead, he is continuing as a member. I hope we can do well by him, having the organization grow, by nurturing what he’s cared for over the years.

 

 

I’ve said this many times over the years. "How many hobbies can you think of, where you pack up and go away for days at a time, living with other people, then, at the end of that time, think to yourself, I can’t wait to do it again with these people.’"

 

 

All we need to do is share what we do with others, through living histories, presentations, outreach events and one on one contact. Should we do that, our membership will grow faster than we can outfit them. You are all a great group of people. We just need to let others see that.

 

 

YOS,

 

 

 

Frank Bowker

Doc

President

Atlantic County Historical Re-enactors

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