Keith, that's exactly why I think the term "living historian" is so apt. When reading about a battle, a lot of people don't understand what hours of forced marches under a hot sun, on meagre rations and little water, can do to a soldier's stamina. Those boys didn't go on line fresh as daisies. They had already done a day's work just getting there. And then the REAL work began. Amazing.

You reenactors provide a real soldiers-eye perspective on the big picture. I think that students pursuing a degree in American history should be required to attend a reenactment. Public school students, too, for that matter. At that encampment I saw many years ago, a Boy Scout troop was visiting the battlefield park, and I saw them in the camp, talking to the reenactors. I thought at the time what a unique learning experience that was for those kids.

I tip my hat to you all.