442ndRCT Soldier's Forum

I have a ride to and from the parade, but not to or from the gun show. SO...

I'm going to go to the Gunshow and Parade.

BT - I can pick you up and take you back on the Gunshow.

Let's get a Headcount on next weekend


Gunshow ---
Brett (If we got more guys)
Davep (if we got more guys)


Parade ---
Tim
Mayo
Davep
Brett

I will know if I can go by early next week. Will advise!

davep wrote:Let's get a Headcount on next weekend


Gunshow ---
Brett (If we got more guys)
Davep (if we got more guys)
Richard (lookin' for some minor gear items)
John (New guy, Bringing him along to see things, maybe get him a canteen and such)

Parade ---
Tim
Mayo
Davep
Brett
Richard
John

Btw what is the Uniform of the Day for the parade. I'm under the assumption that the parade is wool shirts/trousers. If so are we going in garrison caps and ties? or are we sporting 41s and combat gear?

I know the Gunshow routine, I might see if John can Dress in his Class A if he wants, since he won't be in combat gear with a weapon.

Tim posted this

Combat uniforms with weapons. Meet at the 442nd Memorial in Downtown LA.

davep wrote:Tim posted this

Combat uniforms with weapons. Meet at the 442nd Memorial in Downtown LA.

Thanks Dave. Been hung up with the other things these last two weeks I kinda forgot he even said that... Hmm, well John is coming, we gotta get him kitted.

And since we don't have to fire it... I'll gladly march along with "Emmi"

If Sunday is going to be as hot as this one was you will want to dress light. HBT's should be ok, but wools are fine if you dont' have HBT's. I will be driving Jean and wearing khaki Class B's myself, but that was for drivers only.

kanowarrior wrote:If Sunday is going to be as hot as this one was you will want to dress light. HBT's should be ok, but wools are fine if you dont' have HBT's. I will be driving Jean and wearing khaki Class B's myself, but that was for drivers only.

Ick. I hate my HBTs. They're really thick and don't breathe well. So they are hotter than two rats in a wool sock. I think I need to wear them out more in battle and a few more washes or something. But I've been washing them repeatedly. The only good side in the heat is they don't itch as much as wools...

I may do my classic t-shirt + M41 move then.

barcelonablom wrote:Thanks Dave. Been hung up with the other things these last two weeks I kinda forgot he even said that... Hmm, well John is coming, we gotta get him kitted.

And since we don't have to fire it... I'll gladly march along with "Emmi"

I have to remember to bring Emmi with me. She's at my house now. Want to keep her light or you want the bipod on her?

I would bring my M41 but probably not wear it. Most likely it will be hotter than heck. Part of the time we will be in the shade of the buildings but we will also be in the middle of the streets under full sun. It wasn't to bad the last two times I did this but it has been pretty hot in downtown LA lately.

This Sunday . . . . we are bringing our rifles. Is there an issue with it be Los Angeles?

davep wrote:This Sunday . . . . we are bringing our rifles. Is there an issue with it be Los Angeles?

Not any more than the Thompson I carried at the last two parades.

kanowarrior wrote:

barcelonablom wrote:Thanks Dave. Been hung up with the other things these last two weeks I kinda forgot he even said that... Hmm, well John is coming, we gotta get him kitted.

And since we don't have to fire it... I'll gladly march along with "Emmi"

I have to remember to bring Emmi with me. She's at my house now. Want to keep her light or you want the bipod on her?

Your call. I'll take her either way. Honestly for marching it doesn't make that much of a difference. Now if I wanted to shoot her standing and unsupported I'd have problems, after a few experiences I think the weight issue is mainly because its all on the front end. You can notice the difference between aiming her with and without the bipod and handle.

Ok, the Gunshow is tomorrow. I plan on being there at 9am when they open the gates. Remember if you come in uniform you get in for free, don't go to the main gate or the ticket booth, they are clueless and will charge you anyway. It costs something like $12 now to get in!

You have to find the gate where they are letting the reenactors in. Last time I went it was right next to the ticket booth and had no line. The main gate will have a huge line to get in if you come before they open.

Fernie is coming too and he's says he is bringing Jean Francis with him. He will mount MaDuce on her and the new 442nd sign I bought at MacArthur. I will be coming as IDF (1980's). I would have taken time to put together something for the unit and gone 442nd but since I'm committed to the parade and can't be at the Gunshow on Sunday, I'm not going to promote anything this weekend, just have a good time.

The Nisei Parade starts at 5pm in Little Tokyo. We all park next to the 442nd Memorial in the pay parking lot. Parking costs something like $7. If you come at noon we are suppose to be fed. They had a pretty nice spread last year. Of course there are lots of very cool places to eat in Little Tokyo and lots to see. Expect parking to be non-existent around 1-3pm as lots of people will be coming into town for the festivities. There is alot going on besides the parade. And the Japanese American Cultural Museum is also right there. If you want to understand a little more about the Japanese culture in America and how the 442nd fits into that I highly suggest you bring a few dollars and take the tour. The gift shop also has more reference materials on the 442nd than you will ever see in one spot, from books to tapes to DVD's. They have an extensive book library of materials for sale. The museum also has one of the largest Japanese American reference libraries as well and have been developing a huge database on the veterans.

I will be towing Jean Francis up there and have her in the parade. We have the period vehicles there to carry the veterans so don't expect to ride. You will be marching along side the vehicles but not in step and in combat uniforms so it will be more like combat patrol style. Although it is sort of considered crowd control, there really is no problem I have ever seen with the crowd so it will be much like the Huntington Beach Parade where the only interaction was people applauding us.

That's it. Hope to see you there and have a good time!