Good Day
I cannot say enough thank yous to all who have helped make the event a grat success for the 15 years plus that I had a hand in things. It was never an individual effort but one thta took many people to really be successful.
Over the years the first few months of every new year h ave been hard setting things up, contacting everyone and trying to make as many people happy as possible.
This has been hard on my marriage to the world's most wonderful wife and companion of now 40 years, Laura. Late last summer I turned the event over to Scott Wallen and he has established a new team to run the event in the future.
Good luck to all of them considering the never-ending rule and regulation changes the state likes to come up with. For me that was the most frustrating element in all of this.
And in true form they changed things yet again. No more.
Since that time, Laura was diagnosed with a brain tumor.
That finished my wanting to be associated with almost any event, esp one that for me had just turned into months of work and frustration dealing with the state.
Yes, it was worth it once all of you folks showed up!!
Laura is undergoing world class care for her type of tumour through Jefferson Med and University of Penn. Her doctors are fabulous and are offering a type of care that was not even available last summer. She is currently undergoing radiation therapy 10 out of 30 so far. Then to another 6 weeks of specialized care.
Our family has dropped almost everything to assist and be with her in a very trying time period. God has blessed me and her in a large way.
We pray and hope that all will be well and that some kind of normalcy can be restored to her life.
Thank you to all the prayers and support that we have been getting from those that were aware of this situation.
I hope to see many of you at Wheels of Liberation in Gettysburg at the end of June this year.
As always stay safe and family first.
Donald G Hattier DC
PS Thank those that have corrected my many typos over the years.
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 had a Sherman tank, 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 had a chance for an interior tour for a $20.00 donation. This was new for this year. Re-enactors had a chance for a tour Friday at no charge.
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!!
Go to www.wheelsofLiberation.org for more information
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 featured 33 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.