ILLINOIS STATE MILITARY MUSEUM HOSTS HISTORY EVENT

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SPRINGFIELD, IL (11/10/2015)(readMedia)-- By Sgt. James D. Sims, 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – On Saturday, November 7, the Illinois State Military Museum at Camp Lincoln, Springfield, Illinois hosted the annual Great War Encampment 2015. The event featured uniformed reenactors, a recreated trench with WWI military equipment and battle reenactments.

The reenactors entertained questions from observers, explained how units trained and fought as well as the consequences of the war. The reenactors also demonstrated WWI combat techniques through the depiction of mock battles.

"We are made up of veterans and non-VETS, but what we have in common is our interest in military history particularly how it pertains to Illinois military history," said Dennis Nichols a veteran from Belleville, Illinois portraying a captain from the 33rd Division of the Illinois National Guard during WWI.

This weekend the focus was on WWI as it was 100 years ago when the world was embroiled in what has been coined The Great War. Visitors to the museum saw first-hand what life may have been like for Soldiers from several different countries including France, Russia, Germany and the United States.

"Events like this give the living historians the opportunity to live like Soldiers did during a different time and makes it easier to relate those experiences to the visitors who may have read about it, but now it comes to life for them," said Nichols.

The Illinois State Military Museum offers military history from the French Colonial period through present day conflicts. Along with the static displays and battle reenactments, the museum hosted, Dr. Chris McDonald from Lincoln Land Community College who spoke on topics such as Sangamon County during the Great War.

"The reason we do this is that the museum tells the story of the Illinois citizen Soldier and particularly the Illinois National Guard's 33rd Division which sent troops to Europe in 1917," said Richard Schachtsiek, a volunteer at the Illinois State Military Museum.

Some estimate nearly 40 percent of the servicemembers in WWI were in the National Guard.

"This was the first time the National Guard was tested on a large scale; federalized and challenged to meet the standards of the full-time active military," said Schachtsiek.

The Illinois State Military Museum is two blocks north of the intersection of MacArthur Boulevard and North Grand Avenue at 1301 North MacArthur Boulevard, Springfield, Illinois.

Photo Cutline 1: Uniformed reenactors dressed as German Soldiers gather in a mock trench to discuss tactics Nov. 7 at the Illinois State Military Museum at Camp Lincoln, Springfield, Illinois to spend the weekend living life similar to how it was during WWI. The annual Great War Encampment featured the reenactors, a recreated trench with WWI military equipment and battle reenactments.

Photo Cutline 2: Uniformed reenactors discuss the finer points of military life as they gathered Nov. 9 at the Illinois State Military Museum at Camp Lincoln, Springfield, Illinois. The re-enactors spent the weekend living life similar to how it was during WWI. The annual Great War Encampment featured the reenactors, a recreated trench with WWI military equipment and battle reenactments.

Photo Cutline 3: Uniformed reenactors stand in formation Nov. 9 at the Illinois State Military Museum at Camp Lincoln, Springfield, Illinois to be briefed on the day's activities. The annual Great War Encampment featured the reenactors, a recreated trench with WWI military equipment and battle reenactments.

Photo Cutline 4: Uniformed living historians perform a battle reenactment Nov. 9 at the Illinois State Military Museum at Camp Lincoln, Springfield, Illinois. The reenactors spent the weekend living life similar to how it was during WWI. The annual Great War Encampment featured the reenactors, a recreated trench with WWI military equipment and battle reenactments.