Scott personnel participating in World War II re-enactment in St. Louis Published April 25, 2012 By Staff Sgt. Stephenie Wade 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- With their pistols in hand and tanks loaded, they charged their enemy not knowing the outcome, but only that they were fighting for freedom. World War II was a significant part of American history. This weekend members of the 21st Century will get the chance to witness more than 500 re-enactors portray American, British, Canadian, Russian and German soldiers in authentic World War II living history camps during the 35th WWII Weekend sponsored by the 2nd Ranger Infantry Battalion of St. Louis. This year's free event is Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Jefferson Barracks Park, in St. Louis. The 2nd Rangers of St. Louis is a WWII reenactment group and a non-profit organization. Steven Stroot, a retired senior master sergeant who currently works in the 375th Logistics Readiness Squadron Fuels flight, said, "We give the public today a realistic look at what it was like during the European Theatre of Operations in 1944 and 1945. Not only is this geared toward providing a living history display, but it also honors our nation's military veterans, past and present, and those still to come." This is Stroot's third year re-enacting as part of the Rangers in the WWII event. Along with soldiers, there will be a large collection of authentic gear, uniforms, weapons and vintage military vehicles including Jeeps, halftracks and tanks for visitors to see. Educational opportunities for schools will be Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. According to Daryl O'Leary, Scott Air Force Base auditor agency, and supporter of his son, Michael, who is also a re-enactor, the weekend will be highlighted by three battles with pyrotechnics, which will take place Saturday at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., and again on Sunday at noon. O'Leary is also a war artifact collector and helps publicize, and find materials and equipment. "The re-enactments are held a short distance from the camp and will allow the spectators a rare opportunity to see the men, equipment and vehicles in action," said O'Leary. "Schools bring in classes to learn about history and see firsthand what their fathers, grandfather, and in some cases, their great-grandfathers experienced during the war." This is a living history encampment and a recreation of what life was like during this period of war on the European continent. "WWII Weekend pays respect to those who are still here and greatly honors all living veterans and those that gave us everything," said O'Leary. "This event shares with the public and especially with our children a history lesson and ensures those that were there are never forgotten, it is a preservation of history for the current and next generations." World War II veterans are dying at a rate of 740 a day, which means there are approximately only 1.7 million veterans remaining of the 16 million who served our nation in WWII according to the statistics released by the Veterans Administration. Senior Master Sgt. John Pietrusinski, 126th Air Refueling Squadron, said, "The public has little education on the topic of one of the greatest events in world history--WWII. We hope to fill that void by turning stories into first hand experience of the veterans that were there and can no longer tell it. We bring to life the soldier and the struggles they had to go through to preserve our freedoms and liberties everywhere." Pietrusinski is a fuels superintendent at the 126th ARW, and first time participant of WWII weekend as a re-enactor. "Our way of saying, 'thank you' to those veterans and their fallen comrades is by carrying on the message to tell people that we have not forgotten," he said. During and after the battles, attending WWII veterans along with all veterans are identified and provided special recognition. For more information about this free event visit the website 2ndrangers.org/index.php.