Experience living history in Tennessee

 

Experience living history in East Tennessee at Sgt. Alvin C. York State Park.  Sergeant York is more than a hero. Although he became known as the greatest American hero from World War 1 he was also an early influencer.  Come visit East Tennessee on Veterans Day weekend for a journey back in time.

 

 

Who Is Sergeant York

 

His full name is Alvin Callum York. He is from the Cumberland Plateau in Fentress County, Tennessee. Growing up poor in an Appalachian log cabin created a simple life for him. Likewise, in this Appalachian region close to the Kentucky border, people had very little access to larger towns and jobs. He only completed nine months of education since it wasn’t emphasized here. Mainly because this area didn’t believe it was important.

 

TIP: See what Appalachian life was like at The Museum Of Appalachia

 

The York family farmed and hunted for most of their livelihood. Growing up in this lifestyle he became known as a very accurate and skilled marksman as a teenager. He also earned a reputation as a troublemaker without a very promising future. Probably from his drinking, gambling, and fighting.

 

His best friend died in a bar fight which led him to attend a local revival. York began leading the choir and teaching Sunday School in his local church even though he still kept some bad habits.

 

On June 5th, 1917 York received his draft notice at twenty-nine years old. However, his church held many conservative views against violence and war. This led to York returning his draft notice stating he was a conscientious objector. But this reason wasn’t good enough. Consequently, he was on his way to basic training in Camp Gordon Georgia. Company G in the 328th Infantry attached to the 82nd Division had a new member. 

 

 

Off To War

 

 

After basic training in May of 1918, France was the next destination. Chatel-Chehery was the little town close to where he was assigned.  In fact, this is where the battle happened that made Sergeant York famous. A Saturday Evening Post reporter heard about the battle and wrote an article in April 1919 emphasizing Sergeant York’s patriotic and religious character. As a result, this article led to York’s stardom while creating plenty of speaking engagements and endorsements across the nation after the war. Sergeant York refused to take any money for any engagement associated with the war or his Medal Of Honor.

 

 

Medal Of Honor In Exchange For Education

 

After the war, promoting education was a primary focus to help others make a better life. He believed better education would lift many youths out of the Appalachian oppression that dictated his journey as a young man. Above all, education gives freedom to choose many more directions for your future with more opportunities in your life.  In fact, Alvin C. York Institute is still in operation today.

 

Why York Battle Is Important

 

In May of 1918, Sergeant York arrived in France to be part of the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. This was part of the Western Front and a key theatre of World War 1. Five months later the Meuse-Argonne Offensive would become the last push against German forces by the Allies in this Western Front campaign.

 

The brutal Western Front had a reputation for gas attacks, battles with frequent artillery bombardment, trench warfare, and charging attacks across no man’s land.

 

Sergeant York was right in the middle of this brutality. One strongly held German position had a machine gun nest on top of a hill. A unit of seventeen men was ordered to attack it. With this purpose in mind, their assignment started by sneaking behind enemy-held lines. The ranking officer and eight others were killed during this battle for the hill. They lost the element of surprise and only eight men were left. The machine gun position had this group pinned down without any cover. Therefore, the only way to survive was to shoot back. York stood up and aimed his rifle at the only thing he could see, the tops of the German helmets. One by one the shots hit their marks. The other American soldiers saw what he was doing and started returning fire.

 

 

The End Of The Battle

 

York’s shooting skill proved he was a marksman. The German commander thought a larger force was attacking them. Therefore, he surrendered about 90 men to this group of eight American soldiers. The squad continued to find more German soldiers that surrendered to them for a total of 132.

 

As a result, York was promoted to Sergeant and received the Medal Of Honor on December 31, 1919. Many other medals from America and other countries continued.

 

 

The Reenactment Experience

 

The reenactment experience brings awareness to his courageous act in this battle.  More importantly, his other accomplishments can still be remembered.

 

Biplanes are flying throughout the day demonstrating various roles they had in World War 1. During battles, they provide machine gun support for their soldiers on the ground. Enemy surveillance that provides strategic information is much easier viewed from high in the air. This information is then reported back to commanders. A dogfight is when aircraft have battles high above the battlefield. Spectators can watch the planes take off and land standing close to the airfield.

 

You will see World War 1 trench warfare demonstrated using weapons and gear just like they were used in the war. They had rifles, different types of machine guns, mortars, gas masks, helmets, calvary with horses, bayonets, and much more.

 

The German trench starts shooting at the Allied forces trench. The opposing trenches are rather close, less than 100 yards away, and shooting at each other. You can stand next to the battle for a close look. A Park Ranger is describing what is happening to the crowd as each segment happens. Next, the Germans launch artillery with a dangerous gas into the Allied trench. The soldiers have to put their gas masks on before continuing the battle. Soon, you will see them climb over the trench walls and fight towards the German trench thus leading to the Germans surrender.

 

Who are the reenactors?

 

World War 1 era reenactors represented the United States, England, France, Germany, and Australia for this Veterans Day Weekend. Many of these travel from different states to participate here and in other living history events. You will experience living history in Tennessee as you are walking and talking with the reenacts.  Early in the morning, I talked with one soldier that participates in World War 1, World War 2, and the Civil War. He has clothing and accessories for American and British armies for both wars.

 

High School JROTC groups also contribute in different ways. One group wore the French Foreign Legion uniforms. Another group assigned to help with parking was from the Navy Seabees.

 

Tennessee State Park rangers and employees were also dressed in uniform for the battle re-enactment. Many Tennessee State Park rangers came from all over the region to help with many duties. These included interpretations, narrating, parking, security, Alvin C. York home tours, normal ranger duties, and making sure everyone had a great time.

 

 

A Field As An Airstrip

 

 

A large Belgium flag marks the airstrip. Just like World War 1, airstrips in fields were common since biplanes didn’t need much space for take-off and landings.  At this airstrip, one tent serves as the command center.

 

Biplanes

 

The biplanes are fun and you don’t see them often. Take-offs and landings are enjoyable to watch as they bounce in the open field. You can also stand at the airfield to watch the pilots prepare their planes for flights. These biplanes represented the United States, Great Britain, France, Belgium, and Germany.  The biplanes are my favorite way to experience living history in Tennessee.

 

The pilots have built these biplanes as replicas of actual World War 1 aircraft and matching markings. Some of these are a 7/8 scale Nieuport 23 kit.  Airdrome Aeroplanes is a manufacturer from Missouri that can give you a closer look into World War 1 replica planes.

 

Pilots bring their biplanes from all over the country. Many from the Kansas City area, one from Kentucky, one from Ohio, and one from Kingman, Arizona. I had a long conversation with one pilot from the Kansas City area. Kansas City has The National World War 1 Museum and Memorial. In fact, he said there are many pilots and World War 1 enthusiasts living around the area.

 

Another pilot spent his entire career flying fighter planes in the Air Force and then the Navy before he retired. You can see him flying in major airshows across the country with his biplane.

 

TIP: To be at the point of take-off and landings go behind the York Country Store beside the Post Office. You will see the biplanes at the other end of the airfield with a closer view. They park and taxi closest to the York House.

 

 

Educational Living History Experiences

 

A beautifully restored 1925 Ford Model TT Panel truck was displayed as a 1918 bakery delivery truck would have been. Likewise, on display were cakes, bread, and bakery items just like they would have been at that time. The Dixie Baking Company truck’s owners are from nearby Cookeville, Tennessee. They explained to me how a 1925 Model TT Panel Truck is the same as a 1918 model since Henry Ford didn’t like to change designs. This Ford model TT Panel truck was used in the movie The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button and represents a New Orleans bakery from that time.  Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchette star in the movie.

 

 

At the field kitchen, oatmeal, boiled eggs, fresh-cut oranges, and apples are what’s for breakfast. Today the oatmeal was plain since raisins were not available. Coffee was also served from an open stock pot and ladle.

 

Haircuts and hygiene are displayed to learn how they were done on the front lines. Although in an open field, haircuts used the same tools from that era. Hand-held shears were squeezed with a trigger giving the same cut as an electric razor would today. Barbershops were not found on the front lines thus making the men you fought alongside the volunteer barbers. This was fun to watch. Nearby, other soldiers were shaving using a small mirror on a pole with old-style shaving cream and razors.

 

Nurses at the Red Cross tent dressed in World War 1 era uniforms. As an illustration, they were explaining their roles and answering any questions. This is a close-up learning experience of living history in Tennessee.

 

Trenches of the World War 1 era were long and wide enough to fit two people side by side. Walls reinforced with wood from trees, limbs, and sometimes lumber. You should walk through the trenches for a first-hand experience of living history.  The local JROTC made the trenches at the Sgt. Alvin C. York State Historical Park.

 

 

Family Activities

 

Veterans Day weekend activities are held each day so check the schedule for events and times. A doughboy is a World War 1 American infantry soldier. Although, no one is sure where the doughboy name originated there are many theories.

 

Activities you will want to experience are a York home tour, haircuts, and hygiene, the Red Cross station, over-the-top re-enactment, across no man’s land re-enactment, doughboy chow, doughboy music from the era, doughboy kit, and various other activities participants bring. In particular, the Sergeant York movie shown in the red barn is another unique experience.

 

Come back to East Tennessee for this fun event!

 

Hands-On For Learning

 

One of the displays had artillery shells and casings to touch and feel. This is a terrific way for children to experience living history in Tennessee.  The children were able to hold a shell as he demonstrated how it worked to them. He also explained a shrapnel shell invented by Major-General Henry Shrapnel(1761–1842), a British artillery officer. This shell would explode with metal pieces flying in all directions. Since soldiers had a lot of extra time when not in a battle they could pass the time by creating shell art. They would paint and draw art on a used shell casing. He also had an example of this.

Another display created by the owner of a biplane demonstrated how a machine gun and plane propeller worked together. The machine gun would shoot bullets through the propeller blades with perfect timing so they wouldn’t hit the blade and destroy it. Most importantly, his invention used a Dewalt cordless drill linking a machine gun simulation together with a propeller. As the drill and propeller blades turned faster they demonstrated how a machine gun will synchronize. The kids loved trying this and it made a great hands-on learning experience.

 

 

 

 

Horses from the Calvary were a hit with the kids. In fact, they had a lot of attention and were very good with all of the touching. They were all retired racehorses, except for one, and another was from New Zealand.

 

There is so much to see on this fun family weekend in Tennessee.  Who would you bring to share this with?