True intent of reenactments

I read Bob Gregson’s letter in the June 8 Spokesman-Review (“Disrespect in reenactments”) with great interest. While his comments clearly come from the heart, they mischaracterize reenactments and reenactors.

From 2000-2005 I was a member of the HM 10th Regiment of Foot, a recreated Revolutionary War-era regiment of the British Army. During that time we had as members of the unit, combat veterans who had served in the Korean War, in Vietnam and in the Gulf War. They joined the 10th Foot because they had a passion for the history, a desire to interpret that history for the public, and in some cases, because the friendship and structure of our camp weekends recalled the more positive aspects of their military experiences.

In recreating battles our main desire was to portray for the public (and to gain understanding for ourselves) how 18th century soldiers moved together and the types of tactics and maneuvers that they were taught to use in the field. We also hoped to spark some interest in the history for those who came to watch and ask us questions. None of us were under the illusion that what we were doing was an accurate portrayal of the chaos, carnage and bloody was of real warfare.

Most importantly our aim was to memorialize the experience of these soldiers of the past and transmit that experience to the public so that their suffering and death would not be forgotten. I would invite Mr. Gregson to attend a battle reenactment and talk to the reenactors present. He will discover a passionate community whose intent is not to trivialize the terrible nature of ware, but to honor and commemorate the lives of the soldiers that it consumes.

Robert Burr

Spokane