WI Vet's Museum After Action Report (1 Viewer)

[mestell]

I first want to say how impressed I was with the support that W. Britian gave to the Wisconsin Veteran's Museum in their efforts to promote Wisconsin's participation in the Civil War and also the restoration of the battle flags carried by the citizen soldiers of the Badger State. This, for me, was a great example of a "for profit" corporation selflessly giving back to the community to promote the history of our nation. Not only is W. Britiain assisting museums like the Wisconsin Veteran's Museum, they are also assisting the Civil War Trust in preserving ACW battlefields, as wel las working hand-in-hand with the National Park Serivece in support of many major battlefileds. The program itself was very interesting and educational. Re-enactors from Company K, 2nd Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment and Battery B, 4th US Light Artillery were present providing living history to the public. Registered participant were given tours of the Archieval Area and shown the actual Declaration of War signed by Gov. Randall in April 1861, personal letters, journals, photos, et. al. Tours were also given of the Objects Area where we were shown the National Colors that the 2nd WI first used at the first Battle of Bull Run in 1861. Also shown was the only known Iron Brigade Hardee hat in existence today that was actually worn in combat clear through Gettysburg. Ken Osen gace two stellar presentations, one one sculpting historical miniatures and the other on building dioramas and the use of scenic material. Richard Walker was very busy promoting the museum and displaying current and upcoming W. Britian figures that are and will be offered by for sale by the museum's gift shop - a portion of all the sales go to flag restoration. A silent auction was held for six beautifully done one-of-a-kind conversions by Ken Osen, each master repainted and personally signed - all proceeds were given to the museum for flag restoration . . . . as a side note, I was fortunate to have the winning bids on four of the six figures ^&grin - lets just say I was happy to be able to contribute to the museums efforts in restoring an Iron Brigade flag. I also want to thank W. Britian for giving me the opportunity to be able to be a part in the planning of this event and being able to coordinate the local re-enactors . . . and thank you Richard for your kind and generous gift. I also want to say that my wife, Lynn, and I thoroughly enjoyed dinner afterwards with Richard, Ken and Ericka . . . cerainly a great day from start to end, enjoyed with great friends . . . .

It is an event like this that reaffirms my belief in the products and staff of W. Britain . . . it doesn't get any better, and this is especially true for the ACW. You can not get a better historically accurate ACW figure from any where else.
Mike

Upon entering the display area of the museum the first thing you see is a life size scale of the 2nd Wi coming throught the Corn Field at Antietam.

Many other ACW exhibits are included such as the "tedium of camp life"

Richard Walker (far right) with Museum staff listening to Ken Osen

Ericka and Ken Osen (left) with Museum staff listening to a presentation by Richard Walker

Ken Osen giving his presentation on sculting historical miniatures

Iron Brigade re-enactors and Richard Walker listening to Ken Osen

Presentation by Co. K, 2nd Wi and Battery B, 4th Us Artillery

 

[mestell]

As I mentioned above, six one-of-a-kind Ken Osen W. Britian conversions were silently auctioned off to support the Iron Brigade flag restoration. Each figure came with a Special Conversion Figure Certificate signed and dated by both Richard Walker and Ken Osen, and each came in their own custom made box. Five figures were of Iron Brigade infantry and one was a mounted Confederate colonel of infantry. I was foruneate to have the winning bid on 4 of these figures. Here's a few photos of my "pride and joy" . . . the mounted Confederate infanrty colonel . . . the original figure (Sandy Pendleton #17678) is on the left, and the conversion to a mounted CSA infantry colonel is on the right . . . .
:smile2: Mike

 

[GICOP]

Excellent pictures and report Mike.{bravo}}

Well done on winning 4 of the 6 auctions, must remember never to bid against you on Ebay^&grin:tongue:

Love the comparison shots of the figure :salute::

Cheers

Martyn

 

[thebritfarmer]

Looks like you had a good time Mike, and congrat on the win. That figure is nice !!

 

[mestell]

The following photos are of the three figures that were converted into Iron Brigade figures. Again the original figure as released is on the left and the Iron Brigade converted figure is on the right.

Original figure from set #17934

Origianl figure from set #31026

Original figure from set #31028

 

[GICOP]

Very nice Mike, it is great having unique figures in a collection:wink2:

Cheers

Martyn

 

[The Lt.]

Thanks Mike for the after action report and sharing your new additions with us.{bravo}}{bravo}}

 

[mestell]

Thanks gentlemen; Martyn, Scott, and Joe . . . . .
:smile2: Mike

 

[Currahee Chris]

Congratulations on the fine acquisitions and a big thank you to Richard, Ken and Erika for supporting this event.

Question- just curious but it seems to me that there is a lot of ACW pictures, miniatures, etc associated with "Camp Life"- any particular reason why it seems to be more prevalent with the ACW than other conflicts?? "camp Life" has always been around.

Thanks and congrats again Mike!!
CC

 

[mestell]

Congratulations on the fine acquisitions and a big thank you to Richard, Ken and Erika for supporting this event.

Question- just curious but it seems to me that there is a lot of ACW pictures, miniatures, etc associated with "Camp Life"- any particular reason why it seems to be more prevalent with the ACW than other conflicts?? "camp Life" has always been around.

Thanks and congrats again Mike!!
CC

The only thing I can think of Chris is that there is a wealth of written knowledge about the tedium of ACW camp life. Surpriseingly enough, most of what the average soldier wrote about in their letters home or in their journals was about . . you guessed it, camp life. Thousands of these letters/journals have survived which give us a reall good "look" at the non-combat life of the ACW soldier. Also, they spent alot more time in camp than they did in battle . . .
:smile2: Mike

 

[thebritfarmer]

Congratulations on the fine acquisitions and a big thank you to Richard, Ken and Erika for supporting this event.

Question- just curious but it seems to me that there is a lot of ACW pictures, miniatures, etc associated with "Camp Life"- any particular reason why it seems to be more prevalent with the ACW than other conflicts?? "camp Life" has always been around.

Thanks and congrats again Mike!!
CC

That is a good question Chris. It would be nice to see camp life for other wars.

 

[Currahee Chris]

Mike and Scott- thank you!! Appreciate your insights.

 

[playsetaddict]

"As I mentioned above, six one-of-a-kind Ken Osen W. Britian conversions were silently auctioned off to support the Iron Brigade flag restoration. Each figure came with a Special Conversion Figure Certificate signed and dated by both Richard Walker and Ken Osen, and each came in their own custom made box. Five figures were of Iron Brigade infantry and one was a mounted Confederate colonel of infantry. I was foruneate to have the winning bid on 4 of these figures. Here's a few photos of my "pride and joy" . . . the mounted Confederate infanrty colonel . . . the original figure (Sandy Pendleton #17678) is on the left, and the conversion to a mounted CSA infantry colonel is on the right . . . .
Mike"


The figures look great, Mike. You must have been in hog heaven all weekend! Sometimes I really hate working weekends. I would have loved to have been there.
Joe

 

[mikemiller1955]

Those are really nice Mike...I know you're kicking yourself for not bidding a little bit more to win the other two...