Korean War Memorial Medical Convention

I spent a fascinating late afternoon and early evening as an invited guest at the Korean War Memorial Medical Convention today in eastern Independence. The meetings were fascinating. I met several individuals from Graceland University who were interested in the medical reenacting side of the hobby. Hopefull they will join the 7th Missouri Medical Unit.

I was fortunate to meet the author of "Gangene and Glory". The session on Civil War transportation of the wounded was fascinatng, eapecially the paper presented on CW Hospital Cars.

I was invited to attend the full two day Convention next year as a guest. I'm glad I attend and network at the CW related meetings held in the KC area.

It was a great end to a great day.

GHOST HUNT/MIB MEETING at ZONA ROSA

One of the topics I will bring to the table for discussion will be the John Wornall House Museum. GHOST HUNT!!! on April 11 and 12.

It is a well known fact that the Wornall House is actively haunted by at least six spirits. Three of which are seen from time to time by visitors, tour guides and staff. Other things happen on the grounds.

We, The 7th and 30th Missouri have been asked to assist with a TAPS like ghost investigation on the 11th and 12th of April. The director of the Home would like us to set up a small encampment on the grounds on these two days. The modern heated restroom will be open to us. The museum have secured a fire permit so we can have camp fires..

The current management of the Museum wanted a quality well presented and accurate unit to be present on these dates and nites. THAT'S US BOYS!!!

A noted Kansas City Ghost Investigation Team, headed by a former FBI Agent will be conducting a TAPS like investigation. Since the grounds and house were used as a field hospital for both sides during the Battle of Westport, we might have a visit or two from some apparition's in camp at night. I'm hoping that's what will happen!!!

I feel we can't pass up this opportunity to foster another working relationship with another museum in the Kansas City area, especially one so identified with the Civil War in Kansas City. This will open doors to our unit in the future at the Wornall Home Museum.

Personally I can't wait to do this, I'm sure others feel the same way. Those I have spoken to about this feel the same way as well..

Here's a web site to wet your appetite http://www.ghost-investigators.com/Stories/view_story.php?story_num=32

Let's do this guys, the Museum wants us to participate!!! The location of the Wornall House Museum in just south of the Plaza and three blocks from the Loose Park Battle of Westport Battlefield.


YOS,

James Bair

IMCC Program

The program at the IMCC went off very well. It was well attended by the
public. Some bugs still remain with the amputation senario, but they
are minor in nature. I need to add extractions of mini balls to the
demo's

The hit of the encampment was the display of weapons and canon balls.
It was hands on and interactive.

Jim Beckner and James Crofutt did a great job in the discussion forum.

Everyone looked sharp for the first time out this year.

San Antonio Trip

After a shaky start to the trip due to weather, missed flights and delays I finally made it to San Antonio at 12:30 a.m. on Tuesday afer leaving at 6:00 a.m. on Sunday.

Snow closed the runaways at KCI Sunday closing the airport and my flight that was scheduled to leave at 7:30 a.m. The reschedule was the next day at 1:20 p.m. but the reroute sent me to Chicago Ohare then to San Antonio with a scheduled arival in San Antonio at 4:50 p.m.

I boarded the plane on time, but the plane just set at the gate. High winds across the runaways at Ohare delayed our take off until after my connector at O'hare left. We set on the runway at KCI for 90 minutes.

At Chicago and I was able to get on a flight to San Antonio that left at 6:30 p.m. getting me to San Antonio around 9:30 p.m.

6:30 came and passed, Winds were up again. The plane finally got to Ohare at 9:30 p.m. It was only 3 hours late! Boarded and quess what,freezing percip coated the plane so it had to be deiced. On the taxi to take off it started to snow, I mean snow. WE TOOK OFF IN A DRIVING SNOW STORM!!!!

We landed at 12:30 a.m. I collected my bags, which was a relief. Cabs were waiting for the plane. I finally got to my hotel at ALAMO PLAZA at 1:30 p.m. I have now missed two full days of the SFA READING CONVENTION!!

I missed the first half of the morning session which began at 8:00 a.m. I was beat and I wanted to eat breakfast. American Airlines doesn't even provide peanuts to its passengers any more. Luckily the Residence Inn provides a free full service buffet breakfast to its quests.

After eating I walked over to the Marriott River Center, which is on the RIVER WALK, for the meetings. The convention provided a great lunch, it was great, really great.

After eating I wanted to walk off the food before the afternoon sessions. I found myself at the Alamo. What a powerful experience for any American. The Alamo is in the middle of the town in the business district, just two blocks from the RIVERWALK and convention site.

The RIVERWALK is an experience in itself.

Not wanting to eat at the hotel, several of us went to a Mexican restaurant recommended by a local teacher, Mi Tierra, in the New Market area. It was a short cab ride away. Unbelievable food at reasonable prices, Great margaritas that were not made from a mix. Strolling musicians, colorful interior. Drinks, appetizer and a maincourse only set me back about $28.00

I caught a cab and was back at the hotel by 9:30 p.m..

Up early on Wednesday, packed, went to the buffet and then the short walk to the convention site. I attened the first morning session, then back to my hotel to check out. I caught a cab for the ride to the airport. Cabs are very reasonable in San Antonio. Twenty dollars plus tip to the airport. In all, I spent about $66.00 for cabs while in San Antonio.

I upgraded my seats from the middle to aisle seats. I had lunch at the airport at the Macaroni Grill. The plane was ON TIME for the short 44 minute flight to the Dallas Fort Worth Airport. We landed at 2:40 p.m. My connecting flight was at 3:40 p.m. to KCI.

DFW airport is huge. Even thought we landed at gate C4 and the connecting flight was at C29 I had to use the SKYTRAN to get o the gate. The SKYTRAN is a high speed commuter train that runs to every terminal at DFW.

The plane arrived and we boarded on time for the 90 minute flight to KCI. I couldn't really tell if we were in the air, the flight that smooth. After leaving the 75 degrees of San Antonio the 11 degrees at KCI was a wake-up call that reminded me that we are still having winter in the northern and mid-west states .

I met several interesting individuals - A Blackfoot Indian from her reservation near Glacier National Park, who uses the SFA Reading with her students on the reservation. Several wonderful gals from northern and eastern Arkansas near Perigould. Several ladies from Mississippi and Georgia were a riot and how can I forget the two ladies from American Samoa.

There were teachers, administrators, and parents attending this convention from all over the globe that use the SFA Reading Program. To the conventions credit, the sessions were informaive and useful.

Hunt,Conversations at Brownes

While having breakfast this morning at Brownes Irish Deli Pete Maher, editor of the Midwest irish Focus, sat down with Maragaret and I. We had a wide ranging conversation covering many topics. IMCC, the Gaelic Mass next year, the Elders and their upcoming pub tour of Ireland, and the Ghost hunt at the Wornall House Museum.

All in all it was a great morning, sitting in Brownes, having bangers and eggs and oj and good conversation with a good friend.

Lecompton, Kansas-Bleeding Kansas

I journeyed to Lecomptom, Kansas Sunday as a civial doctor. Lecompton was the territorial capital at one time.

I saw a wonderful presentation by George and Diana from the USSC. They portrayed the director of the Shawnee Indian Mission in the 1860's on the night of his assasination.

I made several new contacts: ie... St. Joseph, Historical Society, lots of new info about Fort Smith; Te st. Joseph Historical Preservation Council; the Director of the Shawnee Indian Missouri; Lecompton Historical Society; The CWRT of Lawrence; Topeka; Kansas City; St. Joe; and Independence, Mo.

Its important to attend these functions!. Contacts are made which will pay dividens in the future. I wish others could see this! When you sit on your arse and do nothing how in the world can you recruit and foster new relationships. I am glad the new Lt. sees the importance of this, I wish others in the command structure could see this as well.

Civil War Rountable Meeting Tonight

Men,

At 7:00 p.m. tonight, Wednesday, Feb 13th the Civil War Rountable of Western Missouri will meet a:

The Old Blake Museum
106 E. Walnut
Independence, Mo.
816-252-9909

These meetings are well attended get there early to fet a seat.

Here is the web address of the Blue/Gray Bookshoppe which located in the Old Blake.
The phone number of the Museum is on the left side of the page. 816-252-9909

http://www.blueandgrey.com/events.html

Let's have a few of us go tonight. This is a great meeting to network and make contacts.
While in Lecomptom, Ks, on Sunday I spoke with two memebers of this group who were also attending the presentation in
Lecompton. I also meet one of the Board of Directors of the Historic Preservation Council of St. Joseph, Misoouri in Locompton as well.

There are ususally representatives from a few Historic groups in attendance.


YOS

John Wornall Home Request

Our Unit has been asked by the Director of the John Wornall Home Museum to assist the Museum in two upcoming events. The first being the Brookside St. Patrick's Parade and the second event would be a mini encampment in conjunction with a Ghost Hunt very sinmiliar to the Ghost Hunters TV Show. This event will be on Friday April 11 and Saturday April 12 from 6:00 p.m. till 10:00 p.m. each nite. The director has a fire permit from the city to build campfires and bond fires on those evenings. Since the grounds and the home was used as both a Union and Confederate Hospital, we might just have a spirit or two join us around the fires.

I my opinion we should also have a working relationship with this Museum as well as the Irish Museum and Cultural Center.

I tired two years ago to foster a working relationship with the management at that time with little success but now the management has changed and they are looking for a quality groups of 1st person reenactors to help them with various activites at the Museum.

Thanks to Sean for passing on this information on.

Recruiting Day for the Medical Department.

As with any army, recruiting is a fact of life. Reenacting is no different.
Before I left for Nashville I designed a medical recruiting flyer/poster and copied 100 on canary yellow card stock. Canary yellow because it was the same color as the medical flag after 1862.

Last night I posted one at Kyles and spoke to the wife of a lad from the 7th Arkansas. She has been searching for a medical unit to join.

Up early today to post the flyers at most Kansas City Missouri Public Libraries. I I had luck at most except The Plaza Branch. The branch doesn't have a Community Bulleting Board.

I placed the flyers at most Mid Continent Public Lbraries from the Red Bridge Branch to the Glastone Branch and as far east as the branch in Buckner Missouri. Flyers were also left at the following locations in Independence - Old Blake Museum/Blue and Gray Book Store, and the Trails West Center, Several flyers were left at the Fort Osage Education Center. This is a new facility next to Fort Osage in Sibley, Missouri. Next week I will hit the libraies south and east of Red Bridge as far se as Clinton, Missouri and as far north as Jameson, Missouri.

The Celtic Crossings Radion show at 1510 on the am dial will talk about the Union Station eventy tomorrow at 10:00 a.m.