A Walk through History Leads to Stepping Stones for the Future BY Kyler Sherman

This walk through history has left me in  a good mindset with  a great outlook for the future as a lover and teacher of History someday.

Gun fire all around me, ears ringing, fire flashing in my face, gunpowder smeared across my hands and arms, my heart pounds out of my chest with this adrenalin rush. In sharp contrast,  I put my musket down, sit under a tree and open my journal. I take out my feather pen and write down, “Why do I put these silly clothes on?” I let this question churn  in the back of my mind. Why do I dress like I’m fighting in the Revolutionary War? What fun do I find in reenacting? While some people call me weird for my interest in such an activity, questions still come up.  I give myself a moment under the tree to search my mind for the real answer.

Moving past all the judgment I’ve received, my mind lands on the idea of a community of unbelievable people that I have come across in my three year journey. The person I really think of is my colonel, a man who  has shown and done wonders for me.  At times, it almost seems like a dream or a gift.  The well-respected Colonel who runs the group can best be described in one word, persistent. This man has shown me a great deal in what seems like such little time I’ve known him.  He left such an impact on  not only  me but also the reenactment community. 

About a year ago, I found out that my colonel was diagnosed with diabetes and heart problems. This diagnosis did not stop him from doing what he adores. He still attends events and parades.  He shows everyone that no matter what roadblocks come along, a person should  never stop doing what he loves. I think back to a specific day where we are all rushing to a parade, hearing the crowd in the distance waiting for our arrival. The group, all in uniform, were rushing to get their stuff in order in time. I was having a conversation with my colonel and said “These shoes, man, they suck, and hurt my feet.” The colonel stops, looks at my worn shoes and without saying a word takes out a brand new pair or historically accurate shoes that have some worth. He hands me the shoes and says, “Take these. You will be doing this stuff more than me, and, quite frankly, you need them more than I do.” My mind was blown by  the fact that this man was himself in pain and still gave up his stuff for me. 

I think back to moments like the gift of shoes and realize that I’ve known the answer to my question this whole time. I do reenacting because it’s what I enjoy doing. No one is making me do these things,  instead  I do it out of pure enjoyment. I realize that reenacting is more than just dressing up in silly clothes and shooting fake shots out of a gun. It truly is about the people that help the community and set stepping stones for others. Taking these morals and life lessons and applying them in other parts of my life, such as in my work as a teacher intern working with younger students or as our school mascot, Oakie, making others smile. I am not hesitating to help others in need and also making room in life to enjoy the small things. This walk through history has left me in  a good mindset with  a great outlook for the future as a lover and teacher of History someday.