ORANGE — Thousands gathered over the weekend at the Orange Airport for the third annual Massachusetts Military Expo, where expanded programming drew crowds of all ages.
This year’s expo included a timeline-style setup. Different eras of uniforms and equipment from pre-revolutionary war days through the Cold War were displayed, leading to the main battlefield where a World War II reenactment was the main event on Sunday afternoon.
Dan and Missy Eaton, the husband and wife team behind the event, said it takes about six months of heavy planning to pull off the event. The working tanks and equipment come from private owners and the Collings Foundation.
Dan Eaton said they quadrupled the size of the event this year, bringing more eras of history to the event.
Eaton said he and his family are all history buffs. He and his wife run an event planning service for outdoor sports and activities. So the event is a natural combination of the two.
The World War II reenactment included 150 actors.
“They research everything down to how to sew the patch on your shirt,” Dan Eaton said.
Theresa and Edward Pichull came to the event from Connecticut, and said the reenactment was one of the more realistic ones they’ve seen. The couple travels around to reenactments and similar military events, but this was their first time at this one. The two were in full 1940s-era clothing.
Missy Eaton said she hopes families at the event take away a sense of understanding for veterans and enthusiasm to learn more about history.
“This brings history alive. They provide context to what you’ve read in books,” she said.
Drew Paton, the master of ceremonies, ran the announcements for the event like a 1940s radio show. His father served in WWII, and he hopes those at the event appreciate the history and sacrifices that generation made.
“I want them to leave with a higher appreciation for our veterans and what they’re doing and what they’ve done,” he said.
Reach Miranda Davis
at 413-772-0261, ext. 280
or mdavis@recorder.com.