When Russians Battled Germans in Cedar Rapids, Iowa (WWII)
Posted on September 20, 2022 at 12:00 AM by The Biker Lawyers
Bringing War to the Modern Age
It’s more than a hobby. It’s a way to honor world history and an unforgettable experience to teach new generations about the sacrifices made by our forefathers.
Forget the dusty old textbooks and ancient photos- Cedar Rapids area reenactors are bringing the past to life with family-friendly weekend events that are true to history and focused on the lived experiences of soldiers during World War II.
Reenactors are dedicated to honoring our past by recreating history in a way that is accessible to everyone.
They bring true-to-history experiences to events that are fun for all ages, so you can learn about history while getting your hands dirty! The Cedar Rapids area has a thriving reenactment community that is dedicated to educating the public about history, sacrifice, and celebrating our freedom.
These men and women are proud members of the community, which includes Iowa City, Coralville, Cedar Rapids, North Liberty, and beyond. They’re even doing a larger reenactment next week in Minnesota.
Recently, I experienced one of these monumental events and sat down with a participant to discuss what goes into making history come alive.
I thought WW2 reenactment might be good for photography so I brought my big rig — Canon EOS-R full-frame sensor camera with a Canon big-boy 70-200mm f/2.8 lens which is a rig made for capturing battlefield skirmishes from a safe distance.
They say a picture is worth a thousand words so, as you likely have noticed, I made this week’s blog more of a photo essay.
I’ve had Rock 108 listeners who have been inviting me to see their WW2 reenactment group do their thing for several years.
Now that I am the Biker Lawyers “Ambassador of Ammo”, I thought it would be a good time to check it out, and what a great day it was. As I said, it’s so much more than just reenacting the battles, it’s a walk back in time.
They had authentic wartime encampments from the ’30s. The tents, the furniture that would be used, right down to the phone systems, bunks, blankets, and utensils.
These reenactments are a very family-friendly good time that is free to attend.
They hold several “skirmishes” throughout the day which you don’t want to miss.
These are battlefield reenactments complete with period armored vehicles, and soldiers with guns (including machine guns) shooting live blanks so there is plenty of BOOM going down as well.
The video this week is a combination photo essay and a short live-action shot of one of the skirmishes I had a video mishap, so only got one short clip but the photos tell a pretty good story.
If you ever have the chance to see any of the battle reenactor groups I highly recommend it. It’s a great day of historical accuracy, immersive entertainment, and family fun that will cost you little to nothing.
About Russ: The biker community’s Ambassador of Ammo
Known as a professional Radio Gypsy, Russ is the voice of “crazy stories and bad behavior” on Rock 108 every weekday from 10 AM – 2 PM (CST). After a shooting expedition with friends, Russ found a new passion for firearms and is now searching to find the perfect fit to match his needs. Join him as he tests and reviews various guns and targets, learns gun safety, and occasionally blows stuff up every week right here!
Make sure to subscribe to this blog for email updates when Russ posts a new experience!
This blog is brought to you by
The Biker Lawyers, PC Personal Injury Lawfirm. Injured?