Even the Manners Were Reenacted

A trip to Byron Memorial Park in Williamsport this weekend was a trip back to the days of World War II.  Many reenactors displayed uniforms, tents, jeeps, mortars, medical gear, and a variety of weapons that brought about Allied victory.  The event that really took folks back in time was a USO dance in the massive Springfield barn on Saturday night.

Perhaps half a dozen soldiers stood at the entrance, which immediately made the mood.  Taking us further back in time was the excellent band, Jump Alley, that dressed the part and played such '40s favorites as "I'll Be Seeing You," "Sentimental Journey," and "Chattanooga Choo-Choo."  Many dancers, both men and women were in period uniforms or civilian dress.  A couple of ladies even wore hose with seams up the back.  The most exciting element of the evening was the dancing of the Hub City Lindy Hoppers.  Their moves were amazing, featuring twists, spins, and routines that made us feel as if we were on a movie set.  The ladies were often lifted into the air and twirled over the backs of their zoot-suited gentlemen friends!

The most inspiring moment of the evening occurred when Jump Alley played a medley of service songs and asked armed forces members and former members to stand whenever the song representing their particular branch was played.  At the end of the medley, the band played "God Bless America" with an up-tempo beat and everyone stood.  At that moment, there were no Democrats or Republicans in the room, only Americans.

Nothing made us feel as if we had traveled backwards in time more than witnessing a reenactor of perhaps 16 years, dancing with a young lady, to whom he bowed and said, "Thank you" upon the conclusion of the dance.  Old times, indeed.

 

Reenactors in Byron Memorial Park, Williamsport, MD

Comments

[Anna Kipps]

I don't know if it's the same band or not.. but when I was in high school my friend Nathan played sax for a band called Jump Alley. They'd play in New Market every week, and there'd always been swing dancing. I miss it. I love swing dancing!