By Gabrielle Martin, Staff Reporter.
American history came to life for many people at the River of Time in Veteran’s Park, Bay City, Mich. The event, which took place Sept. 26 through Sept. 28, had people re-enacting history from the Revolutionary War to the Vietnam War.
In the British Revolutionary War encampment, Henry Trippe re-enacted the part of a surgeon performing mock surgeries on children. Trippe, who has been apart of the River of Time for five years, says that he hoped studying period medicine would make him less fearful of modern medicine, and it turns out it worked.
He hopes that after coming to the River of Time, people “would appreciate modern medicine more and jeer at doctors and nurses less.”
Kathleen Spiekerman greeted visitors in the Civil War encampment. She was acting the part of a Sanitary Commission employee, a predecessor to the Red Cross. During the Civil War, her job would have been to ensure safety and hygiene in military camps and serve as a nurse when needed.
Continuing forward about 75 years to World War II, travelers along the River of Time saw typical equipment carried by soldiers during WWII, including a soldier’s manual, medical supplies, food packets, and a Coke bottle.
Jim Pahl, who has been re-enacting for 35 years, explained that Coke was the only company during WWII that didn’t have to abide by the sugar rations. Coke made a deal with the government that they would build plants wherever soldiers traveled so that soldiers would be able to get a Coke for a nickel in return for being able to use sugar.
As the journey through time moved forward, visitors saw what a Vietnam encampment may have been like. In the encampment, which had Christmas lights strung along it and music playing, Delta student Nathan Light re-enacted the part of an army foot soldier. Light, a mechanical engineering major, said he hopes people get a greater respect for history by journeying through the River of Time.
The River of Time brought history to life for adults and children alike. Ann and Gar Wallaker, who have been attending the River of Time for 10 years, brought their 9-year old son, Beau, with them.
“The best thing,” said Gar, “Is for the little ones to be exposed to what they wouldn’t in school.” Beau agreed with his dad saying that he enjoys coming to the River of Time because he gets to “experience the things that are way back in the day.”
Tara Nolan, who was at the event with her two kids, has been enjoying the River of Time since she came with her class in 8th grade back in 1990. She enjoyed it as a child and can still enjoy it as an adult, saying, “It’s not all about cotton candy and rides.”
Throughout the event, a Civil War era cannon was shot off and WWI and WWII era planes flew overhead, adding to the ambience. The River of Time brought history to life for many people by taking them on a journey through events that are normally only read about.
For more information visit their website at riveroftime.org.