Good Day
Registration is moving along. We are still having an issue with the new twostep procedure is posing a few problems, and we ask you to do both parts. Registration is on one click paying is on another click. Lots of folks registering, about a third have not paid.
For this year there will be an arm band like at Wheels of Liberation and Reading.
The dealine for registering has been announced as April 18. The state needs time for the BGC and they asked us to do this. So please if you want to be with us, register now.
For those inviting friends and others:
First thank you for thinking of FM. We all here try to make a positive impact and your referring means something is working.
Remember to stress BE NICE. If you know someone has a great impression but is cantankerous to be around, Think Twice. I hate to stress that, but these events need to be smooth.
The state through their rep, Kaitlyn and the FMHA could not have been more helpful. This year is expected to be the same and even better.
For those paying attention, this is going to be the 20th year of this event. It started small and for the first few years the sub surrender did not take place. Since at least 2006 however it is the signature item on our exhibit list. For 2025, members of the Gross Deutschland are returning after a few years absence and will flesh out the program.
Our recruiting staff has added new units and displays on an ongoing basis. We can now teach the public even more than ever. As of this writing there are 40 plus exhibits. The link shows just we are able to do this year!!
Our FMHDD thanks go out to all of the re-enactors and others who have helped out and who make this a great experience every time. Year 20 will be awesome.
We look forward to seeing all of our friends and making new ones in this great hobby of ours. Not only do we all have fun, but we get to educate what happened. There are so few alive today that have firsthand knowledge that it is really up to us to pull this all together and share.
If you know of someone who wants to join us and be part of this team, email me at dhattier@verizon.net. We are always looking for nice people who can get along with others and share our interests.
Donald G Hattier DC
MSGT NCOIC
1252 SCSU-QMC
Fort Miles Del
PS as always, if I made a typo, please email me. The vision is not what it used to be. That and I never could type.
PPS Just added a new page for scheduling.
If anyone has an event that they want added to this, please let me know. I am trying to do better this year. Remember we are all volunteers here and herding cats is not easy!!
Updated 3/24/25
Please refer to the above for information in the BGC.
It seems that some numbnut volunteer in a state event a few years ago, went after a kid. For legal reasons they, state parks and all state functions now require anyone who may come into contact with kids to be screened.
If you completed the BGC in 2024, you are good to go for this year. Under 18 no check. Under 16 no carrying weapons.
When you fill in the main registration form, Kaitlyn will contact you directly if you need the BGC. That is not in our control.
State is giving three years on a check. And they are keeping much better records about this. Remember parks goes through a lot of staff and stuff gets lost with each change of personnel. Not our idea but we have no control.
Donald G Hattier DC
MSGT NCOIC
1252 SCSU-QMC
Fort Miles Del
PS as always, if I made a typo, please email me. The vision is not what it used to be. That and I never could type. That and my keyboard is dyslexic.
24 April 2024
In 2023 we had great press coverage. This included a TV segment which is on the link below.
If anyone wonders how far our reach to support Fort Miles is, just realize that all of Delmarva has access to this broadcast.
Thank you to Tom Minton for sending me this link.
Many of you have noticed over the years there have been many different examples of United States Heavy Armor at Fort Miles. These are generously loaned by Big Mike in PA and delivered and cared for by the kind folks at the 903rd Heavy Automotive Maintenace Battalion.
For 2025, we are expecting a Sherman tsnk, early dry model. This is a change from the Fury tank but allows for more folks to get in the tank and really see.
The public will have a chance for an interior tour for a $20.00 donation. This is new for this year. Re-enactors will have a chance for a tour Friday at no charge. The Fury tank has an internal basket, and it gets really tight in there. This is always at the discretion of the Wheels of Liberation.
Fort Miles has had everything from DUKWs to a Stuart Kangaroo to an M18 HellCat Tank Destroyer to British Sextons. Recently Mike from Wheels of liberation added an M10 to his collection.
As a plug for his group, Wheels of Liberation, is having an open house in late June. They have over 40 pieces of outstandingly restored equipment from many countries that served to rid the world of the NAZI menace. While the Museum is from the Polish perspective, the event will accommodate any unit. They have 42 Acres and is a grand place to run your military vehicle. Cooking is done by the Harbor Defenses of the Delaware Mess Hall section and as always will meet your standards!!
Mike and his group at Wheels of Liberation have been very generous of their time and resources is allowing us at Fort Miles to share their equipment.
In total this event has featured as many as 30 WW2 vehicles in multiple configurations. We can always use more; just remember they need to be reasonably correct to the period. That means no WC etc. with modern super-size tires. Basic NDCC or NDT only. Classic period passenger cars and trucks are invited as well. Again, email me please so we can add your name to the motor pool.
There have been many changes in the Fort Miles structure since its inception almost 20 years ago. The Battery 519 is now an official museum and has its own website.
Currently the museum site can be gleaned from the Fort Miles Historic Association website.
Photo date and author unknown.
Original 1940, note the one year enlistment, soon to be for the duration. Thank you, Scott Wallen, for this original.