USS KIDD Living History Program

 


 

The USS KIDD has embarked upon an exciting new project with its new Living History program.  Inaugurated in 2005, the program's goal is to gather a corps of volunteers together to demonstrate and interpret the various historical eras in which Louisiana's sons and daughter have been called to arms.  Through "hands-on history," our visitors will come away with a better understanding of what they have seen and heard.

 

Reenactors man the helm of the KIDD to demonstrate day-to-day life aboard a World War II destroyer.

Tres Stoltz mans the helm as fellow reenactor

John Hesselberg maintains the watch as Officer

of the Deck.  Photo courtesy of Tres Stoltz.

A Ship In Need Of A Crew

 

A ship with no crew has no soul.  As the most authentically restored vessel in an Historic Fleet that spans five continents and over 150 vessels, the KIDD offers the unique opportunity to learn the routine of shipboard life in detail and on the actual equipment used!!!  Few, if any, reproductions here.  Whether a torpedoman, damage controlman, machinist's mate, gunner's mate, yeoman, or disbursing clerk, the goal is to know the ship, the job, the speech, and the dress intimately in preparation for manning the ship for weekend events and interacting with visitors as the actual crew of the KIDD.

 

 

Portraying Multiple Historical Periods

 

Of course, while we will need quite a few people to fully man a vessel like the KIDD, we are not focusing solely on the World War II era or on the Navy.  Other events are held throughout the year featuring other eras and branches of service.  We need people interested in the American Revolution era, War of 1812, Civil War, World War I and II, Korean War, Vietnam War, and all points in between.  And we're not just looking to portray the American side:  Louisianans served under the French and Spanish crowns as well.  Also, you know what they say:  "Know thy enemy ..."  Having the opposition on hand for such demonstrations allows the public to see what our veterans were up against when they stormed San Juan Hill in Cuba or the bloody beaches of Tarawa.

Members of Le Battalion d'Orleans as seen during Armed Forces Day ceremonies at the USS KIDD in 2003.

Members of Le Battalion d'Orleans represent

Spanish colonial and War of 1812 soldiers during

Armed Forces Day ceremonies in 2003.

Photo courtesy of Monica Dugas.

 

 

 

2007 Living History

Event Calendar

 

 

 

Jan. 20, 2007

 

World War II Navy

Feb. 10, 2007

 

Civil War — Cancelled due to

                   Street Closure

Mar. 10, 2007

 

War of 1812

Apr. 28, 2007

 

World War II Infantry

May 19, 2007

 

Soldiers of the U.S.A. —

                   Cancelled

June 16, 2007

 

War of 1812

July 14, 2007

 

American War of Independence

Aug. 11, 2007

 

World War II Infantry

Sept. 22, 2007

 

War of 1812    Cancelled

Oct. 27, 2007

 

WWII Navy     Cancelled

Nov. 10, 2007

 

Soldiers of Louisiana

Dec. 08, 2007

 

World War II Infantry

 

Some dates subject to change.  Please check back for more updates.

 

CLICK HERE

to view photos from past Living History events.

Here are just a few of the periods in which we are interested:

  • The 1750s Natchez Wars

  • The Battle of Baton Rouge (1779)

  • The West Florida Rebellion (1810)

  • World War II

    • North African

    • European

    • Pacific

  • Korean War

  • Vietnam

Both Young & Old Needed

 

The old saying goes that "Only the young go to war."  We need young bodies to be as accurate in our portrayal as possible (the average age for a World War II serviceman was age 18-22).  But we also need our veterans themselves to provide accurate intelligence and information.  After all, these young people were not there at Normandy, Chosin Reservoir, or Khe Sanh.  If they had been, they'd be too old now to accurately fill the role.

 

We Need A Few Good Men & Women

 

If you are interested in joining this exciting new program, please Contact Us.  Even if it is simply through lending a hand via your expertise, we want you on the team.

 

If you are part of an already-existing reenactment or living history group and would like to join forces for an event, please let us know.  We have worked with a number of reenactment groups from across the Gulf South and would love to have you aboard.

USS KIDD staff member Tres Stoltz as seen during an Army reenactment at Camp Claiborne, LA.

USS KIDD Living History reenactor Tres Stoltz

stands his watch as part of Dog Company 505th reenacting Operation Market Garden at

Camp Claiborne near Forest Hill, LA.

Photo courtesy of Tres Stoltz.

 

 

WW II U.S. Army Infantry

Bazooka firing demo

 

 

Click on the photos on the left and right to see the USS KIDD Living History Crew conducting demonstrations during Living History Weekends on YouTube!

 

 

WWII U.S. Navy

Air raid drills aboard KIDD

 

 


**Copyright 1997-2007 by Louisiana Naval War Memorial Commission**