Posts Tagged ‘USMCHC’

By now all my readers know that I am heavily involved in the Marine Corps Historical Company (USMCHC), a not-for-profit educational corporation dedicated to telling the Marine Corps Story. This past weekend, as we do every year at this time, our Marines were at the Manassas National Battlefield Park, doing just that – telling the Marine Corps story. Many of our Marines who attended are active duty, with tours in Afghanistan and Iraq. Our display was simply what the Marine in 1861 wore and carried at First Bull Run, compared to what the Marine wears and carries today. We also did presentations of the firing and drill of a Marine of 1861. The following photographs speak for themselves.

Left to Right - Steve Bochmiller, Historical Interpreter, USMCHC; Beth Miller, Dep Dir/Materials, USMCHC; GySgt Tom Williams, Director, USMCHC

I am not a “wargamer,” so the Historicon event on 8-11 July, 2010, at King of Prussia, PA, was totally new to me, and I had no idea what to expect. I was surprised, pleased, amazed, and pretty much blown away. Apparently there are three of these wargaming events each year on the east coast: One I’m not quite sure about I believe called “Cold Wars” in the April timeframe, Historicon in July, and an event called Fall-In, October 29-31, 2010. The major focus of these events is on wargaming various military battles in history on large tables.

The dedicated participants use small figures of various sizes to depict companies of troops, regimental units, or even armies – depending on the battle. Very detailed and elaborate sets are constructed on which to fight – from Medieval castles, to Viking raids on villages, to desert warfare, and, yes, even the skies over Britain for the battle thereof – using model aircraft, flying and fighting at different altitudes no less. This is an over simplification, but combat movements, engagements, confrontations, and the like, are decided by a roll of the dice. These folks really take their work seriously, and one movement or confrontation might take an hour or more to accomplish while they move the various pieces measured distances around the table.

Wargaming Hall

Historicon this year was located at the Valley Forge Convention Center, and it needed the space. They filled two major hotels, and rooms were scarce throughout the entire area. There were three primary features to the event. The foremost was the wargaming activities not only in a huge room full of tables, but in smaller rooms, passageways, and even various hotel rooms. The second feature was an enormous vendor area, sectioned off, which included sellers of everything one might need to wargame from miniature soldiers, to tanks, to planes, to set construction materials, to military history books, and on and on. To my delight, this area hosted such fine historical military artists as Keith Rocco, and Peter Culos, as well as sculptors like Terry Jones. The third activity at Historicon was the “War College.” This was an on-going series of talks by military historians throughout each day of the event and into the evenings.

Notice the detail in this Viking ship

Actor and military consultant for the film and TV industry, Captain Dale Dye, USMC (Ret), was Guest of Honor speaker. The quest speakers included such notables as Rene´Chartrand, former Chief Curator, Parks Canada; Colonel David Glantz, renowned expert on combat studies; and Angus Konstam, former Senior Curator of Weapons, Royal Armouries, London. There were numerous other speakers – including your humble servant. I was asked to give a presentation on the Battle of Balaklava in the Crimean War. When I did so, I discovered, again to my delight, that the folks who enjoy wargaming are not only gaming enthusiasts, but extremely precise and accomplished historians in their particular historical period of interest. My audience asked some excellent questions, and their interest was intense.

All in all, Historicon was a first-rate experience, and I look forward to attending next year. The theme for next year is the American Civil War, and I have been asked to give possibly two talks. One on the impact of the Crimean War on the American Civil War, and the other on Lincoln’s personal security, comparing it to personal security provided modern leaders.

I should also mention that I’ll be busy at the wargaming event in October (Fall-In at Lancaster, PA). The theme there this year is the US Marine Corps, celebrating its 235th Birthday. The US Marine Corps Historical Company will be setting up a massive display to illustrate the theme with uniforms, equipment and weaponry from the Revolutionary Marines to the Marines fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq today. In addition, GySgt Tom Williams, Director, USMCHC, and I will present talks on the Marines at Harpers Ferry and the Marines at First Bull Run.

The Theme for this year's Historicon was 17th Century Warfare

Battle of Isandlwana - January 1879

Keith Rocco - Historical Artist and good friend.

I thought rather than tell you the assortment of things we do in the US Marine Corps Historical Company (USMCHC), I’d take this opportunity to show you through these photographs, which basically speak for themselves:

USMCHC Marines presenting the history of the Corps

History of the Marine Corps - Commandant, Marine Corps, in center

USMCHC 1814 Marines at Ft McHenry where we partner with the NPS to do educational programming

1814 USMCHC Marine Cannoneers - This is our cannon. Marines did double duty in the early days. Marines here are in fatigue dress.

GySgt Tom Williams talking to visitors - Harpers Ferry NHP

1861 USMCHC Marines at Manassas National Battlefield Park, where we also have a partnership

USMCHC Specialist firing a WWII flame thrower, as used in Windtalkers & Flags of Our Fathers

LtGen Ron Christmas chatting with USMCHC Marines at opening of Marine Corps Museum - Quantico

Talking to visitors about the historic Marine Band uniforms the USMCHC just had produced for the Marine Band

USMCHC Marines on board the USS North Carolina giving presentation of WWII Ships Detachment Marines

Normal dress for USMCHC interpreters when presenting educational programs not requiring period uniforms, which is more the norm today. We gear our method of interpretation to the audience and often find not being in period uniform a benefit.

Our active duty Marines often interpret to the public in their own modern uniforms. This is a WWII display at Solomons, MD

1814 USMCHC Marines on firing line at Ft McHenry in full dress.

USMCHC Marines portraying Spanish American War Marines to duplicate a famous photograph of the period

USMCHC Teaching repelling and leadership to JROTC

Early uniform display at the Marine Corps Commandant's House, at his request.

OK.  I guess there is interest in the US Marine Corps Historical Company (USMCHC).  I’ve been off the net a few days, but received comments on Facebook and by email.

John Brown - Patriot or Terrorist?

This year our largest combined program was a two-weekend, back-to-back set of events at Harpers Ferry.  The first weekend was supporting the annual commemoration at the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park of the famous John Brown Raid in mid-October 1859.  We presented “At All Times Ready,” the Brown Raid “through the eyes of a Marine,” several times each day.

In this presentation we walk the audience, usually over a hundred visitors, through the raid.  We explain what led to the Marines being called out from Washington, what they faced on arrival, the Marine assault on the engine house (Perhaps the first hostage rescue operation-and a complete success), the capture of Brown, freeing of the hostages, and the aftermath.  We use Park volunteers in period dress, and even some of the unsuspecting audience, as hostages, and some of our friends from “Sykes Regulars,” who volunteer in the Park, as the raiders.  The Marines, of course, are portrayed by Marines.

The audience is left to decide for themselves if John Brown is a “patriot,” in the anti-slavery movement, or, regardless of his motives, and based on his raid, his kidnapping of citizens, and the murdering of innocent civilians – a “domestic terrorist.”  I think you can guess where the Marines might fall on this issue.

The following weekend at the Park was dedicated solely to the US Marine Corps, in memory of Private Luke Quinn, the Marine who was killed during the raid.  After a year of planning, with the US Marine Corps, the USMCHC, and the Harpers Ferry NHP entering into a mutually supportive partnership, this full weekend program was brought together.

The Quantico Marine Band. They are in MarPat utilities because it rained most of the weekend.

We brought in around thirty active duty Marines, who we kitted as 1859 Marines, or who were in modern uniforms at our extensive display of the history of Marine weaponry, uniforms, and equipment.  These Marines augmented our own USMCHC staff.  We also brought in the Quantico Marine Band.  The displays and band were set up in a large NHP tent behind the famous engine house where the raid took place.

Talks were given visitors at the Marine Corps historical displays, the amazing Quantico Band played concerts, and the 1859 Marines presented “At All Times Ready,” at various times throughout the weekend.

The program culminated in a parade by the band and the 1859 Marines, followed by a moving commemoration and wreath dedication to Private Luke Quinn.  The Park Superintendent, Rebecca Harriett, and Dennis Frye, Chief of Interpretation and Education, spoke to introduce Lieutenant General G.R. Christmas, the keynote speaker, who gave a moving address to the crowd of hundreds present.

Wreath for Pvt Luke Quinn - Active duty SSgt Shane Lisowski, left, and MGySgt William Browne, Drum Major, President's Own Marine Band, right. SSgt Lisowski is wearing the 1859 Dress Blue uniform, and MGySgt Browne is wearing modern Dress Blues for the ceremony.

As an interesting high note: Present as a guest of the USMCHC during both these weekends was the Drum Major of the President’s Own Marine Band, Master Gunnery Sergeant William L. Browne.  In accordance with his wishes, he was dressed as a Sergeant of 1859 for most of the proceedings.  His reason was simple.  He was commemorating Sergeant John Roach.  Sergeant Roach, although appointed as the Drum Major of the Marine Band, volunteered to accompany the Marines sent to Harpers Ferry, and is reported to have been one of the Marines who hauled John Brown out of the engine house as a prisoner.  Hence in our presentations, MGySgt Browne filled the role of his predecessor, John Roach.

USMCHC's unbelievably efficient support team - They made it all work

USMCHC 1859 Marines on parade

USMCHC 1859 Marines marching

Sketch of Marines assaulting engine house - Harpers Ferry 1859

USMCHC walking the visitors through the assault on the engine house step-by-step

Park volunteers portraying Browne’s Raiders

By now most of you should have guessed that I was a career Marine.  What you may not know is that I am still active with the Corps as Deputy Director for Programs of the US Marine Corps Historical Company (USMCHC).  We are a not-for-profit educational corporation dedicated to the Marine Corps by preserving its history, heritage, and traditions.  Although I am not full time, it can come close.  The Director, Tom Williams, another career Marine, spends most of his days and nights managing the USMCHC.  We have evolved over the past ten years into a major business, with the assets and personnel to prove it.

The USMCHC supports the Corps through taskings by the Commandant’s office and as essentially the outreach program for the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation.  Our programs include presentations, demonstrations, and static displays of Marine history from 1775 through present.  We educate the public, using the uniforms, equipment, weaponry, flags, and other material artifacts covering all the periods in Marine history.  Some of these programs are presented in period uniforms, but many are given in civilian attire with displays and mannequins in the uniforms.  Our audience dictates the method of historical interpretation.

Marine Color Guard (Korean period uniforms) at Navy Memorial in DC

In addition to programs, the USMCHC supports the heritage of the Corps and the Corps, itself, in numerous other ways.  We advise the film and television industries, with such credits as “Windtalkers” and “Flags of Our Fathers.”  We provided historical advise and material artifacts for the new National Museum of the Marine Corps at Quantico, VA.  We manage the pageantry for various Marine Corps ceremonies, such as the opening of the new Marine Corps Museum, and Marine Birthday Balls, including the Commandant’s Ball. More recently we have been providing comprehensive educational packages to Marine bases, worldwide.  These packages include reproduction uniforms, accoutrements, and weapons of various periods, instructions on how to correctly fit and wear the historical items, and Marine history educational tools/lectures.

All of our members are of the Marine Corps family in one way or the other.  Many are senior Marine NCOs and officers currently on active duty or in the Marine Reserves.  Several are retired career Marines or former active duty Marines.  We have members who are or were Navy Corpsmen, who have immediate family currently serving in the Corps, and even some historians we have adopted as our own, whose passion for Marine Corps history is a great asset to our mission. For many programs we bring in active duty Marine volunteers, kit them in period attire and equipment, train them in the drill of whatever period we are presenting, and let them go.

Korean War display at Navy Memorial in DC

It is amazing how quickly these young dedicated Marines pick up the history and drill.  In only a short time they are face to face, educating the public first hand about their Corps and its values – where we came from.  If you’d like to hear more about what we do, please send me a comment and I’ll be happy to oblige.

The USMCHC Website is at:  http://www.usmchc.org

WW II Parade in Sharpsburg

WW II Seagoing Marines Program - USS North Carolina, Wilmington, NC

1859 Marines at Harpers Ferry Program