Honor heroes throughout history at the Red Mill Museum Village’s ‘Salute to Service’ weekend
CLINTON, NJ (Hunterdon County) – Civil War reenactment weekends were a vital part of the Red Mill Museum Village’s early days.
As times and trends changed, these events began to evolve to include not just reenactors but also artifacts from many of our nation’s wars and conflicts. For the past several years, “Military Heritage” days followed this tradition in the early spring. Now the event is undergoing one more evolution.
“Over the past few years, this event hasn’t been as well attended as we’d like it to be. It could be that it didn’t bounce back after the pandemic, but I thought this might be a good time to make some changes to see,” said Executive Director Gina Sampaio. “I suggested a name change and moving it closer to the summer’s patriotic holidays. That’s when Trustee Joe Eggert told me that this June marks the 80th Anniversary of D-Day. From that moment on, he became a vital force in planning this event.”
“I am honored to have the opportunity to organize the Salute to Service this year, with special emphasis on the 80th Anniversary of D-Day. I reached out to many individuals and organizations and am grateful for their support and look forward to a rewarding and memorable event. The Red Mill Museum Village has honored our military with special acknowledgment for their service to our country and I hope it will continue as a reminder to all the sacrifices made by many and who should not be forgotten,” Eggert said.
Several “Military Heritage” day favorites, like the Round Valley Military Museum’s collections and Jack Stanley’s remarkable Civil War artifacts, will still be included but many new displays and groups will be represented as well. Eggert, as a Vietnam veteran and Purple Heart recipient, used his connections to various local veterans’ groups to help enlist these new participants.
The weekend will kick off early with a lecture by Brian Armstrong on Thursday June 20th at 7pm in the Red Mill Museum Village Administration Building. Armstrong, a researcher, historian and author, will present “Celebrities at War: Famous WWII Veterans.” This lecture is free to members, others will be asked for a $5 suggested donation at the door.
On Saturday, three local veterans will be presented with handmade Quilts of Valor. A Quilt of Valor is a handmade quilt awarded to a Service Member or Veteran who has been touched by war. The Quilt says unequivocally “Thank you for your sacrifice in serving our nation.” This solemn ceremony will take place in our Quarry Pavilion at 12:00 pm, followed by a 1940s USO-style show performed by Dawn O’Day joined by her guest “Bob Hope!”
At noon on Sunday there will be a 21-gun salute led by the Spruce Run VFW Post #5119, followed by an Echo Taps ceremony and a two-helicopter flyover—both a Huey and a Blackhawk. This will be followed by more of Dawn O’Day singing the best of the 1940s WWII American Songbook.
There will be representatives from military and veteran organizations as well as artifacts, vehicles, displays and reenactors from the Civil, Korean and both World Wars (with a focus on World War II this year). Hampton centenarian Bob Gibson, who fought in Normandy, will be a revered guest. There will be a DJ, an ice cream truck, kids crafts and community service activities throughout the grounds.
The Salute to Service weekend will honor heroes from throughout history and wants to honor your family’s heroes as well.
If you’d like to include a photo of your family member from any branch of the armed services from any era in our Wall of Heroes, email Curator of Education & Public Programming Robbie-Lynn Mwangi at educator@theredmill.org.
The weekend events will be held Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., rain or shine. Regular museum admission will be charged at the door. Museum members, children under 6, veterans and active military members are free. For more information, please contact Robbie-Lynn Mwangi at the email above or 908-735-4101 extension 100.
