Reading, PA World War II weekend
June 13, 2008 – 6:00 amLast Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, I attended the World War II Weekend at the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum in Reading, Pennsylvania. I was there to sell my books We Knew We Were at War: Women Remember World War II. What an experience it was!
Thousands upon thousands of people. A hangar full of tables where many of us displayed our wares, veterans shared war stories, and military organizations kept alive their mission. At various locations, speakers shared their stories and a trio of women sang music from the war years. Plenty of food and fifty or more portable toilets. Cars were parked in fields 1/2 mile or more away from the airport with school buses carrying attendees back and forth between the show and their cars. And, in the evening, the hangar changed into a ’40’s dance hall.
We quickly became acquainted with our neighbors at the adjoining tables. On one side were women Marines, on the other was a couple - he a POW who had been shot down twice in Europe and she a needleworker who had cross-stitched a replica of his plane. Behind me, and my advisor from the moment I arrived, was the Commander of the Berks County Women Veterans. Other displays included Rosie the Riveters, the Band of Brothers, and booksellers and authors selling books about war heroes and events. And we were all hot. Hand held battery-operated fans flourished.
The array of folks who stopped by the table, many of whom purchased books, helped the time pass quickly. There were teachers, authors, collectors of World War II books, many men as well as women, and quite a few who must wanted to chat, often sharing their stories. The greatest joy was to see chidren, some as young as 10, come to the table, look up longingly at their parents, who usually broke down to purchase the book for them. How wonderful it is to see young people so interested in history!
You must be logged in to post a comment.