left and below Check out a variety of military machines, from modern high-tech planes and helicopters to vintage tanks and weapons from the World War II battle re-enactment.

saturday morning kicks off with a free breakfast provided by the volunteer fire department, an opening ceremony and the much anticipated parade, with floats and bands representing all branches and generations of the armed services.

“everyone enjoys a good military band,” says city administrator and retired colonel bill McPherson, one of the driving forces behind the event. of course, everyone loves a good battle re-enactment too. the event offers a World War ii-themed dramatized skirmish of American versus German troops, replete with weaponry and vehicles, both saturday and sunday. “of course, we all know in advance who is going to win, but we enjoy it anyway,” he jokes.

“regardless of your political views, service people are putting themselves in harms way to protect all of us,” says Kevin Werner, general manager of the Wildwood Casino, explaining why the casino and employees offer saturday’s steak dinner to participants. “our guys go down and they grill steak out on the sidewalk, and the dinner is in the firehouse downtown. it’s a neat event.”

Fireworks light up the night sky before the fes-
tivities erupt anew on sunday when — much like
saturday — visitors enjoy another breakfast, more

static displays from different military branches and organizations, live concerts, vendors, kids’ activities and an organized non-competitive walk.

“it’s turned into quite a family event. that’s part of our reason we host it,” says McPherson. With extended tours and repeat deployments, “this event gives them an opportunity to enjoy a day with their families and receive the necessary recog-