RESERVE YOU AND YOUR FAMILY’S SPACE! 2019 ......Hamburger or hot dog? Mustard Hamburger National Museum of Americans in Wartime 8500 Executive Park Ave., Suite 412 Fairfax, VA 22031

Americans in Wartime MuseumHonor • Educate • Inspire

Summer 2019 Issue

RESERVE YOU AND YOUR FAMILY’S SPACE!

2019 “TANk FARM” OPEN HOUSESATURDAY AND SUNDAY, SEPTEMbER 7TH AND 8TH

REgISTER ONLINE AT www.NMAw.ORg

SUMMER 2019 ACTIVITIES AND EVENTSThe National Museum of Americans in Wartime’s SUMMER 2019 started off with the Memorial Day weekend and our Voices of Freedom’s Mobile Recording Studio:May 16-19, 2019 Warbirds Over the Beach Airshow Virginia Beach, VAWarbirds Over the Beach Airshow was held May 16-19, 2019. Always a huge success, NMAW staff and volunteers who attended included Greg Pass, Ed Petke, Dennis Gill and Jim Bish to represent our mission and contact oral histories.June 2-4, 2019 27th Annual Mid-Atlantic Air Museum Reading, PAHistory roared to life as the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum presented its 27th Annual WWII Weekend. Activities included daily airshows from 1:00-4:30 p.m. with airplane rides available in 11 different WWII aircrafts like trainers, fighters and bombers. Musical entertainment was provided all day with big bands on Friday and Saturday night. July 4, 2019 Dale City July 4th ParadeAnnual Fourth of July Parade was held in Dale City. The streets of Dale City were filled with Fourth of July parade participants and spectators. A Family Fun Day was included!July 13 & 14, 2019 Rippon Lodge World War II weekend 15520 Blackburn Road, Woodbridge, VA 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.The daily life of World War II soldiers in the European and Pacific Theatres was told by living historians portraying Axis and Allied soldiers. Guests learned about their equipment, armaments, historic military vehicles, and medical care on and off the battlefield. An added opportunity was to view how Americans at home supported the war effort, review original WWII artifacts, and learn about Admiral Black, the last owner of Rippon Lodge, who was a WWII veteran and survivor of Pearl Harbor.July 20, 2019 Northern Neck World War I & World War II Commemoration Day Colonial Beach, VA 12:15 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.The Town of Colonial Beach, Virginia (CBVA), in conjunction with the American Legion Colonial Beach Post 148, Dahlgren Heritage Foundation and Museum, Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), Potomac Chapter, and Northern Neck Tourism Commission, commemorated these events during the Northern Neck World War I & World War II Commemoration Day on Saturday, July 20.AND OUR OFFICIAL END OF SUMMER!2019 NMAW OPEN HOUSE September 7 & 8 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days“Tank Farm” 13906 Aden Road Nokesville, VA 20181This year’s open house is confirmed for September 7 and 8, 2019, to be held again at the famous “Tank Farm” in Nokesville, VA. As in the past, we will showcase 50 vehicles on display with an additional dozen that are demonstrated throughout the weekend. Among the vehicles on display are over a hundred living historians who bring the event to life. We invite all veterans and support organizations to put on displays each year. They, along with many historical authorities, will be in our main building and the outdoor parade areas surrounding it. We will again have food trucks so our visitors will have incredible options! Come out and support NMAW!

For more information, click on our events tab at www.nmaw.org/events

Keeping the Equipment RunningNMAw TANk VOLUNTEER gORDON RIDINgS

In this series of interviews, we will introduce you to the staff and volunteers of the American Wartime Museum.

These are the people who “keep ‘em running” and work so hard behind the scenes. We have asked Gordon Ridings about his duties as a volunteer

at the Wartime Museum Restoration facility.

Gordon, tell us about yourself. I have been interested in all things history since I was a little kid. My family has a long list of military service from the Civil War on up to Vietnam. I started reenacting when I was about 14 years old (Civil War). I began WW2 reenacting right around 1999 and have been doing so ever since. I have owned several World War 2 military vehicles to include a 1944 Willys MB, as well as a 1940 Indian 640 military motorcycle. I have been participating in WW2 reenactments and living history for close to 20 years now and have a strong interest in weapons and military vehicles/armor.

Gordon, describe your duties as a volunteer. My duties as a volunteer vary depending what the task at hand may be. I assist with all vehicle maintenance and have learned so much through this experience. One day we can be working on something simple, such as sanding or painting, and the next time we may be replacing the bogey wheel on a Sherman tank, which requires the track to be “broken” down and put back together. I also assist with driving many of the vehicles on the property from wheels to tracks. Another duty is taking vehicles to various events for outreach and conducting living histories demonstrations. With this being said, keeping up on the maintenance of these vehicles is a must

and a full-time job.

How did you hear about NMAW and what drew you in?I have been coming to the “tank farm” as a reenactor for close to 17 years now and over the past few years, I got into the volunteer aspect of keeping these vehicles running and helping with the restoration and haven’t looked back since.

Gordon R. open house 2018 with Museum Collection M5 A1 Stuart light tank

Volunteers David Horton on the left, Gordon Ridings on the right.

What started your interest in tanks and military vehicles?I have always had a strong interest in military vehicles and armor for as long as I can remember. Since the first time I rode in a WW2 tank at the farm, I was hooked.

What is your favorite armored fighting vehicle of all time? Why? My favorite armored vehicle is the M5A1 Stuart Tank. I have always been interested in this piece of armor, and how it was utilized in combat. I have taken a personal interest in this tank and was able to learn the inside and out of this specific vehicle in the collection. There are a few of us who consider ourselves “full time” volunteers that have taken this tank as our own and basically went through the entire vehicle from top to bottom to ensure it is in top running condition. Doing this, we have been able to take the tank to several events and share the museum and our passion for military history.

What is your favorite vehicle in the NMAW collection? Why?I am going to refer to the M5A1 Stuart “Eager Beaver” from the previous question for the reasons listed. We have named this tank the “Eager Beaver” due to popular WW2 Big Band Song. I just love this tank!

What is your favorite military history book or movie? Why?I don’t have any specific favorite as they all have their own reasons to love them. But I must say, one of them is Kellys Hero’s.

Ketchup or mustard? Hamburger or hot dog?Mustard Hamburger

National Museum of Americans in Wartime 8500 Executive Park Ave., Suite 412 Fairfax, VA 22031

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