2nd Annual Veterans Fair Set For Sunday

The 2nd Annual Veterans Fair is expected to be the largest indoor military history experience of its type, said Vietnam veteran and event organizer Guy Anhorn.

"We've got some really interesting people," he said of the event's participants. 

The Vietnam veterans group invited "every veterans organization" in the five-county area to participate, he said adding that over 1,000 visitors came last year and "raved about" the displays and demonstrations.

"We've been working on this for a long time," Anhorn said.

This year's event will include living history groups and exhibitors from several states that will "fill the armory with actors representing World War II, Korean and Vietnam war era soldiers," Anhorn said. "The event will include military vehicles, displays, period military equipment and wartime memorabilia."

A special appearance is planned to include "Wild Bill" Guarnere of Band of Brothers fame with his fellow troopers, survivors of Pearl Harbor and the Bataan Death March.

"The Family of World War II Medal of Honor Recipient Joseph R. Sarnoski, bombardier of the famous B-17 #666, will show his medal, artifacts and memorabilia," Anhorn said. "This may be a last opportunity to meet and hear first-hand from heroes who experienced the greatest conflict in human history."

Authentic encampments will feature World War II medics, infantry units and Vietnam command posts with historians ready to answer questions and demonstrate equipment.

The event will include period wartime music; rare, vintage military vehicles from the Greater Pennsylvania Military Vehicle Historical Society, hot food and drinks.

Additionally, 18-year-olds who joined the U.S. military service "after news of Pearl Harbor are now 90 years old," Anhorn said.

"They may never again be able to see what is being shown at this event," he said. "It's several war museums brought to their doorstep. We are encouraging Worls War II, Korean War and Vietnam Vets to bring their grandchildren."

The Feb. 19 event runs from 10 a.m. till 5 p.m. and a memorial ceremony is planned for 1 p.m. 

A professional film crew is scheduled to record a documentary of the event.

The event is sponsored by the Vietnam Veterans of America, Valley Forge Chapter 349, whose motto is, “Never again will one generation of veterans abandon another.”

Also on display at the event will be U.S. women who flew bombers to the front, known as the WASPs, and local Tuskegee Airmen.

Donations at the event will benefit local veterans’ charities.

"Join with us this Sunday ... in what may be a final tribute to these brave men and women who joined up in 1941 and are now 90 years old," Anhorn said. "Where else can you meet four survivors of Pearl Harbor? One was the gunner who brought down the first Japanese Zero of World War II and has souvenirs to prove it."

Learn more at www.VietnamVeterans349.org and the Veterans Fair Page.