Tom's Tech and History Blog

The FDR Museum and Library is hosting their military living history display again for Memorial Day. I’ll be displaying again, and thought to share some pre-event pictures.

Hanging up artifacts such as plaques and pictures was an issue during previous years. Found two identical pieces of 3/4″ plywood, 20″ x 48″, hinged them so they would stand up on the corner of two six foot tables, and painted with Rustoleum Camo paint. I’ve got a few nice pieces that I have yet to display, so that’ll be something new this year.

The Coast Guard sees as much action, maybe more, as the other branches, but is not well represented at events. I don’t have many artifacts, comparatively speaking for the USCG as compared to other branches, but I’m making sure they get some attention.

Being my last branch of service, the Air Force is always well represented at the table.

A work in progress for the Navy. This picture is two or three versions old.

Another work in progress for the US Army in Europe post World War II, since modified.

Memorial Day weekend, May 23-24, 2026 the FDR Library will be hosting a Military History display at the FDR Home in Hyde Park, NY. Historians and reinactors will be in costume displaying military vehicles and other historical artifacts from the Revolutionary War era to post-Cold War. The FDR Home and Museum will be open if you want to visit either.

https://www.fdrlibrary.org/events-calendar

Memorial Day Weekend Event:
World War II Military Displays
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Location: FDR Library Great Lawn

On Saturday, May 24 and Sunday, May 25, 2025, in honor of Memorial Day Weekend, the Great Lawn in front of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum will take on the appearance of a World War II encampment with WWII Military Displays. Period military vehicles of all sizes and soldiers in battle dress will be on hand to share their love of World War II history. Free public event.

On display will be a model M4A4 Sherman tank — a World War II combat veteran — assembled by Chrysler at the Detroit Tank Arsenal in December 1942. It was part of President Roosevelt’s “lend-lease” program, crewed by and under the command of Great Britain’s armed forces during the war. Display of the tank is courtesy of the Fourth Armored Division Historical Preservation Group.

The next living history display at FDR is at the end of the month, on Memorial Day. I’ll be putting togetehr a display similar to what I did last year.

Tomorrow I’ll be giving a talk on military insignia collecting at the Duffle Bag Military Collectors Club meeting and mini-swap meet in Patterson, NY. I decided to concentrate on insignia from units stationed or affiliated with the Tri-State (NY, NJ, CT) area. Here’s a couple of sneak peaks for tomorrow.

The event runs 10AM to 1PM tomorrow. My talk will probably start around 11 or so.

https://wp.me/paBn4l-2PSe