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Tag: World War II

  • Mid-Atlantic Air Museum’s World War II Weekend- 2026

    Few events make it onto my calendar every year, but the Annual World War II Weekend at the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum in Reading, PA is one of them. On Saturday, June 6, my dad and I returned to Reading, Pennsylvania for the 35th annual event.  This was my fourth consecutive year attending and my dad’s sixth. The event has become a great father-and-son tradition that never disappoints. The event ran from Friday, June 5th through Sunday, June 7th.  We made the two-hour drive to Reading and, after parking, were able to get on a shuttle bus rather quickly.

    It was a hot day, but it was well worth it. When we arrived, we made our way through the aircraft displays and, for the first time, were able to go inside a 1943 Douglas C-54D aircraft. The C-54 was the workhorse of the Berlin Airlift in 1948–1949. After World War II ended, the Soviet Union blockaded West Berlin in an effort to force the Western Allies out of the city, creating one of the first major crises of the Cold War. For nearly fifteen months, the United States and Great Britain airlifted food, fuel, and other supplies to the people of West Berlin. By May 1949, the Soviet Union lifted the blockade. Today, the aircraft has been transformed into a flying museum and, remarkably, still takes to the skies like many of the other planes on display.

    After exiting the aircraft, my dad and I made our way through the various military camps. Every year, I am amazed by the amount of time and dedication required to set up the camps that stretch across the grounds. The reenactors are extremely knowledgeable and eager to share details about what was necessary to serve during the war. As you walk through the camps, you almost feel as though you are stepping back in time. Weapons, equipment, supplies, and everyday necessities are all on display, serving as reminders of what soldiers endured when they were not on the battlefield.

    At about 11:30 a.m., we stopped at one of the food trucks for lunch before finding a spot near the airfield to watch the afternoon airshow. Around 12:30 p.m., paratroopers jumped from an aircraft, an event you can check out on my social media pages in the coming days. My video captures the first of two jumps. The paratroopers were especially brave considering the windy conditions on Saturday, yet they proceeded with the demonstration anyway.

    The airshow was highly entertaining, and it is always a pleasure to watch The Jersey Jerks, an airshow team that consistently puts on an impressive performance. Other pilots also took to the skies to showcase many of the aircraft that had been on display throughout the grounds. You can also check out my social media pages for videos of the airshow.

    My dad and I watched the flying demonstrations until nearly 4:00 p.m. Afterward, we took one final walk around the event before heading toward the shuttle buses. However, when we saw the long line waiting for transportation back to the parking area, we decided to get an Uber instead.

    What’s great about World War II Weekend is that the event draws a huge crowd, yet the Reading airport grounds are so expansive—and there are so many camps, exhibits, and aircraft to explore—that it never feels overcrowded.  

    It was especially meaningful to attend the event on the 82nd anniversary of D-Day. It is encouraging to see so many people come together to learn about World War II and honor those who served during the conflict. If you have never made the trip to Reading for World War II Weekend, I highly recommend it.

    For more information about the event, visit: https://maam.org/wwii/

    Check out my related blog posts below:

  • 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/

    Check out these related posts below:

  • 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/