The
Zephyrhills Museum Of Military History will be holding it’s annual
D-Day Commemoration on Saturday, June 3, 2017 from 10:00 AM until 4:00
PM.
This is to commemorate the D-Day landings by U.S. troops on the
beaches of Normandy, France on June 6, 1944, which marked the beginning
of the end to Hitler’s “Fortress Europe” during World War II.
There will be reenactors on hand in uniforms of that period and with
equipment and weapons carried by the troops to illustrate what the
soldiers, on both sides, both Allied & Axis, would have looked like
and what they would have used in the associated battles.
We will
also be parting with some books about military history that some of our
members have graciously brought in for this event. Come browse through
the books and for a nominal donation you can take some of these home
with you if you’d like.
Cynthia A. Sandor will have her book "Through Innocent Eyes - The Chosen Girls of the Hitler Youth" available for $20
Admission to the museum is FREE. Donations
are gratefully accepted as we operate totally off of donations and are a
501c3 organization.
Please feel free to join us. Bring the family and enjoy the day learning of our history.
May 13, 2017 – Center Hill, Florida – 10:30 am – FREE PARKING
Attention All Allied and Axis Living History Re-enactors!
It is 1941 and the Axis have converged on
this small village occupying the buildings. Civilians are gathered and
discussing the eminent surrender of their village. An assault is launched when
the Allies arrive in their convey traversing in from the back roads to the main
square. An extraordinary young patrol leader launches his band of 16 men and
put on a daring raid and tries to crumple the enemy’s immediate defenses. Combat
fighting ensues and many are wounded by gunfire. Medics race to their brothers
aid only to be caught in the cross fire. The next moments will justify their
very existence. Their mission is to knock out enemy soldiers and their
emplacements among the buildings and take back the village.
Spectators will witness men, women, and
their machines perform a living tribute to the veterans of WWII through dress,
mock battles, and living history displays.
Public Schedule of Events:
Re-enactors set
up 8:00 – 9:30 am – if you wish to set up the night before, please contact Paul
Remis. Vehicle
Displays Military
Display Weapons
Demonstration Battle
Re-enactment – 11:00 am
Opportunity to
have photos taken with vehicles, re-enactors and veterans after the battle.
Military
Vehicles will gather in downtown Webster on Central Ave and will travel to
downtown Center Hill. You will be met by
a representative of the event.
This event
will also be filmed for media.
Corner building will be opened and used for
all re-enactors.
This is the VERY LAST TIME we will be able to use these 1930’s
abandoned buildings in Center Hill Florida for our WWII re-enactment events. We
were given such short notice that Sumter County will be demolishing these
historical buildings and our last day to utilize these buildings will be on May
13, 2017.
All
re-enactors are encouraged to RSVP for complimentary food for their
participation in this event.
Public Parking on all side roads and FREE
parking will be available. More details to follow.
Center Hill is rich with American History
dating back to 1800. The town's layout was influenced by slave quarters,
Seminole villages, and African villages. The residents lived in buildings
constructed from daub, thatch, and lumber. The government noticed the area’s
fertility and discovered that the black Seminoles grew rice, peanuts, and corn.
By the 20th Century, Center Hill was known for
its string bean, green peas and lima bean production which was shipped to New
England, Chicago, and Detroit.By the
1930’s, soil fertility declined and by 1975 the bean farmers have all but left.
Since 1988, farmers are still growing bell peppers, cucumbers, squash,
tomatoes, and watermelons.
In 1998,
archaeologists from the University of Florida started their first excavation of
a black Seminole village in a pasture about two miles from Center Hill. The
researchers hoped to determine the town's social structure and the former
residents' lifestyle. The investigators found dozens of artifacts, including
iron pieces, stoneware, glass beads, nails, and pottery. Historians believe that over 100 black
Seminoles lived in in this area known as Peliklakaha, one of the largest known
black Seminole village.
Center Hill WWII Living History You Tube Video - click on photo below
7:00 pm Swing Dance on Deck featuring Reeths Puffer Jazz Band
Saturday, June 3
8:00 am Breakfast
Free public admission to USS LST 393
Reenactor manned ship stations
Mock air raid with the Hooligan Flight Team
Movie on desk
The USS LST 393 is one of the last surviving Landing Ship Tanks out of the 1,051 built during World War II. D-Day plus 73 will commemorate the ship’s participation in the Normandy invasion.
All Allied and Axis units are invited to setup camp on the museum lawn or display inside the ship. There are several interactive opportunities for re-enactors; the Bridge, Battery Room, Machine Shop, Damage Control Room, Engine Room, Stern Rudder Room (good size area for presentation), Galley, Galley Stores, Ward Room, Radio Room, Chart Room, Tank Deck and Medical.
Onboard crew quarters sleeping berths are very limited. Reservations taken on a first come basis. Plan on camping on museum lawn. Shower (original working equipment). Bring your own towel.
Saturday breakfast and dinner provided. Downtown Muskegon, across the main street from the LST, has plenty of restaurants, pubs and shops. The bar on the Port City Princess cruise boat, docked next to the LST, may be open Saturday.
Vendor space is still available. Contact organizers for more information.
Click the "Register Now" link above to register. Registration ends June 1.
