World War II Encampment In National Park, New Jersey On May 22, 2011

On May 22, 2011, Red Bank Battlefield in National Park, NJ hosted a World War II Encampment featuring tents, vehicles, artifacts, Reenactors, Living Historians and some Veterans themselves. Below are many photographs of the event ...





















I like those records and that player:


















I met an actual Veteran of the Second World War at the Encampment. His name is Chester Karzynski. He served in the Philippines in the 33rd Division Field Artillery working in Wire and Communication. It is always great to meet and speak with the Veterans.


Here is his signature, with pertinent information, on an index card:




































The John Clark Big Band was at the Park performing music from the 1940s:


Here is a video of the Encampment. The sounds of the 1940s can be heard in the background.

West Windsor Renaissance Faire Held In Mercer County Park On May 15, 2011

On May 15, 2011 Mercer County Park hosted the annual West Windsor Lion's Club Renaissance Faire.



I arrived late in the afternoon and as you can see from the clouds, it was about to rain.






I picked up an executioner's mask from one of the vendors and thought I would sit on some bales of hay for a photograph:




Shortly after the executioner photo was taken, it did indeed rain and it really came down. It was a severe storm. Local authorities arrived and stated that they will keep the park open until they see lightening and shortly after, lightening emerged in the sky so the event was therefore closed. I was soaked by the time I made it to my car. I sat in the car to dry up and then the clouds parted. It became a sunny late afternoon. A real shame since the event was scheduled to end at 5:00 PM and the storm ended around 4:00. I am usually late for a lot of events and who knows, perhaps some people did show up only to find a closed Faire. At the very least, the event did enjoy pleasant weather for the majority of the two days it was scheduled.

I took a picture of this sign at 4:30 PM and you will note the clear sky above:

The Procession Of Saints At The Italian Market Festival In Philadelphia On May, 15 2011

On May 15, 2011, the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania held its annual Italian-American/Italian Market Fest within the Italian Market area. This was my first time attending this particular Festival and I had anticipated the day's arrival with great interest. There were a number of vendors selling food, souvenirs, toys and more.



What could have very well been the highlight of the event for many was the Procession Of Saints.

Here you see the Saint Statues being lined up and prepared for the Procession ...

























At this point I saw another Procession following ... this time it was a group of Mexican Catholics. I did not expect to see a Mexican group in the parade since this was an Italian Fest. I suppose it was some kind of Catholic Ecumenical statement.









I passed by a bakery with some nice-looking cakes so I took a couple pictures ...





This is a seated area of the Italian Market (with the Saint Paul Parish in the background):


Approaching the Church where a Mass is about to be held:


Lining up the Statues before they are carried up the steps and into the Church:




Quite a task:


The Church's sign promoting the event:


More photographs can be found at this link: http://s169.photobucket.com/albums/u213/portaltothepast/Festivals/Italian/Italian%20American%20Fest%20May%2015%202011/?start=all

Here is a video of the Procession:

Freedom For Syria Rally Held In New York City On May 7, 2011

Those of you who have been following my blog know that I have attended a number of events in support of the Protesters in Iran and Egypt. On May 7, 2011, I travelled to Manhattan, New York to stand in solidarity with the Freedom Fighters in the nation of Syria. The Syrian Protesters have been faced with an extremely brutal crackdown. I want the Syrian Community to know that I am appalled by the regime's brazen display of brutality.

This particular Rally was very, very small. The organization that posted the event on facebook is called Syrian American Society News. No one from this group bothered to show up and when they were asked what happened online, no one bothered to respond. In any event, I thought the gathering was worthwhile. I was glad I attended. I had the opportunity to speak to a few Syrian Americans and I let them know that I felt it was important to attend because this is about us as human beings.

Here is a picture from the Rally:


Here is a sign a woman made: