PHOTO PROVIDED Visitors will get an up close and personal tour on the combat ID trail at the Vietnam Revisited encampment on the grounds of the Pennsylvania Military Museum on July 21-22.

PHOTO PROVIDED
Visitors will get an up close and personal tour on the combat ID trail at the Vietnam Revisited encampment on the grounds of the Pennsylvania Military Museum on July 21-22.

BOALSBURG — The grounds of the Pennsylvania Military Museum in Boalsburg, Centre County, will once again host the equipment, uniforms and gear of the Vietnam War in an annual event that has acted as a “homecoming” for veterans of Southeast Asia since 2007.

“This isn’t ancient history,” says museum educator Joe Horvath. “The generation deployed to that hot, humid place is very much active and we’ve seen an increase in attendance at our event as they invite family members and friends to check out our interpretation.”

The Greater Pennsylvania Military Preservation Association out of Altoona supplies the period vehicles, tents, equipment and manpower in recreating a “firebase” while the Friends of the PA Military Museum provides financial support for food, water and an evening dinner for the troops.

The firebase opens at 10 a.m. each day with music from Armed Forces Radio Network – Vietnam playing on the camp speaker. “These radio broadcasts are from the time period for sure,” says Horvath. “You can hear Specialist Pat Sajak (Wheel of Fortune) introduce a song and enjoy complete shows by the blond California bombshell, Chris Noel.”

In addition to listening to the radio broadcasts and checking out the equipment, visitors have an opportunity to accompany a soldier on a recon patrol of Spring Creek on the half-hour. Long trousers and good shoes are recommended for walking this 50-yard combat identification trail. Two history lectures are scheduled for the three-day event. Chopper pilot Ed Ramon will talk about his experiences during and after the war at 6:30 p.m. on Friday July 20 while Armstrong Senior Scientist Dr. Ron Lenox will discuss the development and deployment of napalm and Agent Orange at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday July 21.

For more information on activities visit www.pamilmuseum.org; call 814-466-6263 and like us on facebook.