Fort Mifflin, in South Philly, Will Host WW II Reenactors on Saturday
By David Madden
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Historic Fort Mifflin, hidden deep in South Philadelphia near the airport, was being transformed today into a World War II compound to commemorate Pearl Harbor Day tomorrow.
The fort, which predates the Revolutionary War, was actually put to use during World War II. It wasn't decommissioned until the mid 1950s.
Pearl Harbor ceremonies are on the agenda for Saturday, but this reenactment will have a distinctly European flavor.
"You're gonna travel back in time and experience life on the western front for the Battle of Schmidt, which took place in the fall of 1945," says Beth Beatty, the executive director at Fort Mifflin.
The installation will be complete with recreated barracks and first aid stations, along with a pair of staged battles and tales of the day told by reenactors. They're all volunteers who keep the memories of the 78th Infantry Division alive.
There are still some World War II veterans who come out for events like this and appreciate the honor paid to them for their service.
