The Ontario Military Vehicle Association took part in a event in Odessa over the weekend.
The event was called BIVOUAC and was held at the Odessa Fairgrounds.
During the two-day event it featured a number of military vehicles on display, demonstrations, WW II battle re-enactment, militaria marketplace and more.
On Sunday at 2 p.m. a number of people took part along with a number of military vehicles and a tank took part in a re-enactment.
Today’s Northumberland spoke with history teacher and Captain in the Canadian military David Moore who was the master of ceremonies surrounding the re-enactment.
It was an example of how tactics and weapons of that period.
On Saturday (August 24, 2024) it was an example of Canadian and German tactics and weapons.
On Sunday (August 25, 2024) it was Russian and German tactics and weapons with the audience seeing movement of infantry, artillery support and armoured support.
Moore described how different cultures look back at wars.
In Canada, it’s a very solemn occasion.
“We remember the sacrifice of the men who were killed and those who went and even the ones who returned and their families so we can be free.”
“Freedom of speech, freedom of religion pick our own government.”
Moore said in the United States it’s more of a “triumphant” occasion with Memorial Day.
“It’s more like a picnic – a second Fourth of July.”
Moore said what can you saw for the people who fought in the two World Wars along with the people who fought for Hitler.
“What they say is everyone was a victim of the war. So the guy who was killed on the Russian front fighting and the person who was killed in the Allied bombing in the city and the person who was killed in a concentration camp – are all victims of the war. It’s a very much somber message.”
“Over countries emphasize it a lot like the Russians do and others not very much like the Japanese.”
Moore said unlike a museum, over the weekend they were trying to bring it to life somewhat for the people to remember.
With history Moore said the analogy that’s often phrased, “if you don’t know it – you’re doomed to repeat it.”
“To some extent was saw a aggressive dictator in the Second World War named Hitler – which eventually the world decided to stand up against him and defeat him.”
“Are we seeing the same in Russia Vladimir Putin?”
“Is he the same? Is history repeating itself?”
“If you learn from the past, you have to be more prepared for the future.”
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
