The 2005 American Heritage Festival

Comments from Participants, Spectators & Educators

Dear Captain Scott,

I wanted to thank you all for a wonderful experience at the school day for the American Heritage Festival. I brought my fifth grade class, along with four others, and I can't tell you how valuable the experience was for all of us. The students walked away with a greater appreciation for the difficulties faced by our forefathers. The reenactors they encountered took the time to make careful explanations, and were courteous and friendly at all times. After only a week has passed, I have already used the event several times to illustrate our history lessons. You have provided an experience which brings history to life, and the students will not forget it. Thank you for all you do!

Sincerely,

Amy C.

5th Grade Teacher Gilbert, Arizona

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Scott,

I just wanted to let you know I had an incredible time at the AHF this year. Well done. We appreciate every minute of time and effort you put into pulling these events off. It must be something else to watch how this event has grown from a dream to an event of this capacity and caliber over the course of a mere three years. God's hand is upon your dream. Keep Him at the forefront and I believe you will continue to be blessed.

Each day of the event had its own peak; the Rev. War events on Friday were very good, and the final Civil War battle on Saturday was nothing short of spectacular! I was privileged to mingle with the other participants, learning a great deal from the more experienced reenactors, and helping out some of the greener ones, besides just enjoying the many different people who joined us for the weekend. The people are amazing - when standing next to Mr. P. in the Civil War battles, then firing at him (!) during the Rev. War battles, then having a friendly conversation the next moment, I realized again just how blessed your group is with the kind of people who have joined.

I have to say though, for me, the absolute highlight of the week was near the end of Thursday; the school day. A teacher had just rounded up his group of kids and they were on their way off the farm... Just as they were leaving, I heard a little boy, perhaps six or seven years old say - in an awestruck voice: "This was the most awesome field trip... EVER!" That one little guy made the entire trip worth it.

Your friend in Christ,

Mathew E.

---------------------------------------------------

Scott, thanks again for doing a great job with this event. I have gone to all three of them you have organized. Coming from northern California, I really like the warm welcome I get from you AZ people. I like the event and like what you have done and are doing with it. Keep up the good work and thanks again for doing all the hard work it takes to put on a quality event for the public and us as reenactors.

Thanks again

Ted M. California

------------------------------------------------------------

I would like to again express my gratitude for another outstanding event, I think now the premier living history event in Arizona.
Thank you for all you do,
Dr. Robert H.

------------------------------------------------------------

Scott, Twas a great event. Without people like you to organize, and put up with all the idiosyncrasies of all involved, we would be at home twiddling our thumbs...
This was our first Arizona event and as hoped, we were welcomed with both grace and charm. A fine lot you've cast your stone in.
Your gesture of a "thank you pie" was the kindling for a colonial "pitch-in" for dinner the following night. Go figure how a simple gesture can go so far in bringing people together.
On our end of camp the Coldstream Guards, Rogers Rangers, and the Powderhorn Clan made the entire camp worthwhile. I hope they all return next year with re-enforcements...
I am well aware Scott, of the time and effort you personally put into this event. For that please accept my most humble and sincere tanks...
Your obedient servant,
Mel A.
4th Regt NY Duchess Coty. Mlta.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Lord Scott,

Thank you so much for the opportunity to re-enact with the 1st Va. Inf. It was nothing I had ever experienced before. This was my first time as a re-enactor, and it was amazing!

The years we helped at the gate was fun, but on the battlefield with those cannons and rifles going off right next to me was absolutely thrilling! My heart jumped multiple times. In fact I had such a good time I won't be able to find the words to properly describe it. Let's put it this way-I'll definitely do it again next year.;-}

Sincerely Your Respecting Nurse,

Nurse Tiyrah

------------------------------------------------------------------

Lord Scott!

I wanted to thank you so much for all the time and hard work you put into the American Heritage weekend for us all. It was my very first time as a re-enactor and I had a complete blast! I feel like I made many new friends and developed a new addiction! Many thanks again. Here are some of the pics I took that I thought I would share with you. Feel free to use any if you would like. It was a pleasure meeting and talking with Lisa as well! *Waves at Lisa.*

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family as well.

YH&MOS, Rosemary W. from Casa Grande

---------------------------------------------------

In regards to the American Heritage Festival, I was left speechless.

It was incredible.

It was unbelievable.

It was the best event I have ever seen or attended, ever, to this day, either We Make History or otherwise.

I have pictures to share, and my head is bursting with stories from it all. My heart is overflowing, for I found among friends the rich fellowship of brethren in Christ. My stomach still aches from the terrible camp food and I need to replace my ankles. ;) I still haven't stopped reeling or had time to catch up on the sleep lost in the blur of activity morning, day and night that accompanied the Festival.

You certainly outdid yourself this time, Captain and Mrs. H. I can say no more! :-D

Love in Christ,

by whom all this is made possible,

Martha

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Our family just attended the "We Make History" event on Saturday. Wonderful! It was one of those events where your pulse quickens and your breath gets shortened, because YOU LOVE IT!

While we would love to get more involved in your organization, we realize our family of five has only so much time and financial resources. We also live in Payson - off the beaten path and we are an adoptive family with every race represented - a little difficult to find a historical time for us. But, how can we slowly get involved? What's next that we can watch?

Rev. Todd and Kathy A.

------------------------------------------------------------------

We had a wonderful time reliving history at the American Heritage Festival last Friday. We enjoyed the battle reenactment and speaking with several of the presenters. The shopping was fun as well and we were so thankful for Subway that day. The day was gorgeous and I can't think of anything better to do on a beautiful fall day in Arizona than to enjoy the beautiful out doors and countryside. Thank you so much for all of your planning and preparation. We can't wait to send pictures back to NY to our friend who does reenactments there.

Thank you,

Mrs. Val T. Scottsdale, Arizona

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Herr Kapitan Scott"

IR 100 of the Royal & Imperial Austro-Hungarian army wishes to give congratulations to you and the rest of the We Make History staff on a splendid American History Festival.
As a re-enactor of the First World War, the 11:11 ceremony on Friday the 11th was particularly significant and moving.

IR 100 will be back again next year, hopefully with a greater "show of force" as members get their gear together.
Lastly, kudos for having a more diverse display this year, with the frontier schoolhouse interactive exhibit, the Viet-Nam display, and the dual USMC Pacific Theatre/Imperial Japanese Army encampments helping to give a broader scope to the activities of America's Military--and its foes!--whether they were Deutsche Wehrmacht, Imperial Japanese...or the Royal & Imperial Austro-Hungarian Army!

As they say in beautiful Budapest,
"Viszlat!" (Be seeing you!)

Jurgen Kvaternik, Officer Commanding 12th St. Baon / Infanterie-Regiment 100

------------------------------------------------------------------

I had a lot of fun this year again at your ball and AHF. You have really turned the AHF into a main event. It will now continue to grow and grow. See you next year. Maybe I will come to a ball and just relax.

Scott L.

-----------------------------------------------------------

Dear Sir,

Thank you SO MUCH for putting on the American Heritage Festival. When you said we would leave the event glowing you weren't kidding.

Corey (Cornelius) K.

---------------------------------------------------

Scott,

Thank you for organizing a truly inspirational and fun event! My wife and I think that is the best event we have gone to in quite a while. We loved it and you have our support in the future! We'll be building a bigger contingent of F&I reenactors for future shows!

Thanks again!

Rogers Rangers

-------------------------------------------

Scott,

Great event. I felt the public was enthusiastic and truly enjoyed themselves. The 1st Virginia is fast becoming a fun group to reenact with. I will be looking forward to seeing you and them in the future. Thank you for a fun event.

Sincerely,

John Van W.

1st US Infantry, Co. D

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Lord Scott and Her Majesty,

We found the experience of American Heritage this weekend past (Nov.12, 2005) to be one of great triumph! We thoroughly enjoyed exploring our American History from it's most early infant days all the way through to the Vietnam War.

We reward the efforts of your group with our praise and high regard.

I was most moved, as I have been before, and it has rekindled a desire for further acquaintance and acceptance to hopefully become part of a group such as yours.

We hope to continue with more correspondence and to attend future events!

Well done!!!

Sincerely,

Miss Rebecca P.

Ms. Becky B.

Mrs. Catherine P.

--------------------------------------------------------------

Hello Lord Scott:

I had a wonderful time at this weekend at the American Heritage Festival out at Schnepf's Farm. I was not able to participate, but enjoyed being a spectator.

Thank you so much,

Brenda G.

----------------------------------------------------------------

Good Day Sir,

My compliments on the Heritage Festival. It's nice to participate with several groups that have no apparent agenda and don't seem to have a problem getting along with everyone else.

Dan

------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Captain Scott,

What an event! Thank you for putting it on. We learned much and hope to continue to learn more and be further inspired.

We will continue to pray for you and your family and continued good works that glorify and honor the Holy, Living God. To Him be the glory now and forever.

Private K. and family

-------------------------------------------------------

Lord Scott,

My family had a great time at your event on Friday. We were the people in Boy Scout Uniforms. Your group staged some great battles and everyone was extremely friendly and knowledgeable. I would definitely like to talk with you about having our group join you for this event next year. My family will be attending the ball as well. I wish you an extremely successful weekend, and look forward to working with you in the future. John (Bat Masterson) H.

------------------------------------------------------------

Thank you so very much for the History Day in Phoenix on 11/11. We appreciated the way you had each character tell about himself or herself, especially enjoying George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Sacajawea, and the gun maker. We believe that God has had a great part in the history of our nation, and we thank you for upholding truth.

God bless you,

The Jackson Family

----------------------------------------------------

Hello to all,

Just wanted to send out some of the pictures we took at the American Heritage Festival. We really had a great time for our last event of the year!

Wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving...peace and gratitude be with you.

Tammy and Parry

Fort Boone's Mercantile

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Scott,

We truly enjoyed meeting all of the fine folks at your event. I hope that your love for history continues to make the event strong.

Tammy

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sir,

Hope you have been able to relax somewhat after what I consider to have been an exceptional event. Bravo!!!

Hope you all have a great Holiday of Thanks.

Dennis

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear We Make History,

I am pleased to say that our students and parent chaperones loved the festival. I and my fellow teachers found the event highly educational and we were able to meet many state standards.

Our school will certainly plan to attend next year.

Jody D. Mesa, Arizona