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Category: WWII

  • Mid-Atlantic Air Museum’s World War II Weekend- 2025

    My dad and I made it out to the 34th Annual World War II Weekend at the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum in Reading, PA, on Sunday, June 8th. This was my third consecutive year attending and my dad’s fifth. Like the past two years, this event did not disappoint.

    We made the two hour drive out to Reading and what was nice this year compared to last, was that as soon as we parked, we were able to get right on a shuttle bus that took us to the event.  Last year had much longer lines. Maybe attendance was a bit lower because it was Sunday, or perhaps due to the less-than-ideal weather. Last year also marked the 80th anniversary of D-Day, which likely drew a larger crowd. This was our first time attending on a Sunday.

    When we arrived, we started by exploring the vendor area, where sellers offered everything from shirts and costumes to WWII memorabilia. Then we walked through each country’s encampment—something I’m always fascinated to see. The amount of time and attention to detail that goes into setting these up is incredible. Reenactors were also on hand, all of them very knowledgeable about the war.

    We toured the planes, checked out tanks and military vehicles, and got a close look at the kinds of items soldiers would have carried with them. At one point, we stumbled upon the paratroopers suiting up for their jumps later during the airshow. All around the grounds, vintage 1940s music played over speakers, adding to the feeling that we’d stepped back in time to a WWII encampment.

    Around lunchtime, we made our way over to the airshow area. At about 12:30, I walked over to a food truck to grab us lunch. On my way back, I caught the paratroopers jumping out of the planes—an awesome sight! (Check out my social media for the video.)

    We stayed for the airshow, which never fails to impress. (You can also catch highlights on my social media sites.) All of the pilots put on a fantastic display. The Jersey Jerks, an airshow team, always stand out with their formation flying and aerial tricks.

    Unfortunately, it started to rain around 2:30, and the show had to be paused with plans to resume once the weather cleared. Not long after, my dad and I decided to head out and make our way home.

    It was another great year at the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum’s WWII Weekend! Every time I attend, I’m struck by the size of the crowd and how many people come out to celebrate history and honor those who fought and died for our country. If you’ve never been, I highly recommend checking it out. Visit the museum’s website for more info: https://maam.org/

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  • Mid-Atlantic Air Museum’s World War II Weekend- 2024

    On Saturday, June 8th, my dad and I made it out to the 33rd annual World War II Weekend at the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum in Reading, PA.  This was my dad’s fourth year going and this was my second year.  Like last year, the event did not disappoint.  Last year’s event was the very first event that I ever blogged about on this site, and you can read it here.  The event runs Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

    My dad and I made the 2 hour drive and arrived at the parking site at about 10:15am.  Right away, we could tell that there were many more people attending this  event than last year.  It was a beautiful day, and this year celebrated the 80th anniversary of D-Day which drew many people.  The lines to catch a shuttle bus to the event were quite long, although they did move pretty quickly.  I assume that the organizers of the event didn’t even assume the number of people who would be there.  But I have to give them credit for how well organized everything is run there.

    When my dad and I finally made it to the event, we toured the many encampments and checked out all of the WW2 planes.  We checked out a small French village, and we viewed WW2 soldiers drilling in line.  We saw medics care for two wounded soldiers.  We examined the many tanks and army vehicles.  The grounds have speakers that play tunes from the 1940s.  You truly feel like you’ve stepped into a time machine and are now in a WW2 camp.  There are so many reenactors who are in the army camps, and they are very knowledgeable about their subject.  One particular re-enactor explained to us how WW2 soldiers used bazookas against enemy tanks.  He also explained how jumpers from planes had to safely jump and land holding all of their equipment.

    At lunchtime we ate from one of the many food trucks there.  Then we started to head over to where the airshow was taking place.  We brought lawn chairs and watched the show.  It’s quite amazing to watch 80 year old planes still flying and doing tricks.  It was a windy day so the parachuters did not jump out of the planes like last year.  But it still was an impressive show.  Following the air show, we continued to walk the grounds and were immersed in the many WW2 camps, stumbling upon some bagpipers.  I love the fact that many people who come to WW2 weekend dress in 1940s attire.  Like last year I was amazed at how many people are willing to come out to a historical event, which is a satisfying reminder that so many people out there love history.  Everything at the event is so spaced out so that you don’t feel crammed at all.  

    Finally, in the late afternoon my dad and I decided to leave and there were more long lines to get back on the shuttle bus.  The amount of people there just shows how great this event truly is.  Anyone in the vicinity of Reading, PA needs to make it to this event!  Here is the link to the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum→ https://maam.org/wwii/

    Check out my videos of the event on my Instagram page here—-> https://www.instagram.com/beneventos_history_blog/

  • Mid-Atlantic Air Museum’s WWII Weekend

    My first official History Blog post will be about an amazing event that I went to with my dad on June 3rd. This was my first time attending the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum’s WW2 weekend event. This was the 32nd annual event and it was running Friday, Saturday and Sunday. My dad had gone the previous year and told me that I would really enjoy it. It far exceeded expectations. The event contained all things WWII at the Reading Regional Airport in PA. There were WWII planes, weapons, tanks and other army vehicles.

    One aspect of the event that I really enjoyed were the army encampments. Spread around the grounds were the different army encampments from the different countries. Men and women dressed in full WW2 garb answered questions as if they were in the army themselves. One actor from the British camp explained in detail, their role as paratroopers for the British army. Playing in the background throughout the event were oldies from the 1940’s with all of the belongings and supplies that the soldiers would have carried in their camp. For brief moments, you honsetly felt like you were going back in time as a soldier. The dread they must have felt and experienced, knowing they were going off to battle and wondering if they would ever going to see their families again.

    After touring the camps, and chatting with the actors, my dad and I settled down on lawn chairs for the airshow which went on for a couple of hours. It was amazing to see these WWII planes still in action even though they were 80 year old planes. It was very entertaining watching the stunts and tricks of the pilots. During the airshow, seven jumpers lept from the planes using parachutes from that time period. We were told that steering capabilities were extremely limited. Luckily, they skillfully tumbled to the ground.

    I would recommend this event to people of all ages. I couldn’t believe the size of the crowds. But everything was so spaced out that you didn’t feel cramped at all. It was nice to see that so many people respected the history and had such an appreciation for WW2, that they’d take time out of their busy lives to attend. I saw young and old all enjoying themselves and having a good time. I would compare this event to a large festival but all for WWII, with music, food trucks, and vendors selling souvenirs. I’d give this event a 10/10 because it far exceeded expecations. The event is always the first full weekend in June, so I will definately plan to attend again. For more information check out the website: https://www.maam.org/maamwwii.html

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