Post by Joshuai12 on Jun 21, 2020 23:28:48 GMT -8
1) Hello. My name is Josh Israel and I am 26 years old. I currently live in Talent, OR with my girlfriend but we are moving to McKinleyville in July. I graduated college with a major in Criminal Justice and a Minor in history. I completed my first year at Oregon State University and was part of the NROTC (Marine Corps) program there my freshman year. I am currently perusing my career towards law enforcement, with my end goal of becoming a Game Warden.
2) I found F Company, 506th by chance. I was looking into local/close groups and your website popped up. I then navigated myself to your Company.
3) I have not done any reenacting before but would be looking forward to the opportunity to take a step back in history. What better way to learn than to live it!
4) I read through the website and was thoroughly impressed! The amount of time and energy devoted to the authenticity of portraying F Company 506th PIR was inspiring. I have wanted to join a reenacting group for some time and the comradery shown here is something you do not see in every group. I am looking for individuals of like mind who enjoy what they do and take pride in who they represent and F Company meets the bill. Also, you are based in CA and it makes it easier to make friends that way. And the Paratrooper uniforms look quite sharp, which is a plus! I am also intrigued by how you treat FNG’s. As said on your website, they will not be treated with outright disdain but with a cold shoulder by some and will have to prove themselves to the rest of the Company. Not many reenacting groups have that philosophy. F Company requires you to go through the steps to be part of something greater… starting with the application process. This alone sets the bar quite high. I can say that if I am accepted, I do not look forward to KP and latrine duty, but I think not many people do.
5) Ever since I was a boy, I was fascinated by the events of WWII. Ironically, it started off with video games and quickly grew into a passion of mine. I know a little about a lot and would like to think of myself as an historian in training! As any self-proclaiming historian, I have watched both Saving Private Ryan and BOB, just to name a few. I have tried to get my hands on any books and footage I could find to continue my knowledge. I had the opportunity to travel to Normandy back in 2017 as part of a criminal justice class and spent part of the day walking Omaha and Utah beach and visiting Point Du Hoc. Something that stuck with me was being able to walk onto the beach through one of the original breaches made by the engineers. It was quite humbling to be walking in the footsteps of all those who had passed through before. I also have a good understanding of what was expected of not only the American paratrooper but also the Pathfinders as well.
6) My grandfather fought for the Haganah in Palestine against the British for Israel’s independence in 1948 and I have had some contact/conversations with veterans in the past but that is about it. While I was in NROTC, I had the opportunity to speak with several veterans and their stories were both awe inspiring and full of comradery.
7) I bring with me a love of history and wanting to be among those who keep it present. There are not that many WWII vets left and reenacting is a great way to keep their stories and achievements alive. I am also first and foremost a student of history and would bring with me the willingness to understand and learn more about the shoes I am stepping into. I have a good attitude and an open mind and I work well with others. I have a fun and quirky attitude and enjoy being surrounded by like minded people.
8) I currently applied to the CHP program and the local Sheriff’s Dept. in McKinleyville and am hoping to be accepted into one of those organizations. I volunteered with FEMACORPS for 10 months in 2012, doing disaster relief in MS, NY, and LA as part of a logistics team and I spent a month at the Marine Military Academy in Harlingen, TX, doing their summer program. I own an M1 Garand and M1C paratrooper helmet though I am currently trying to get a pair of jump boots (I understand those are required before anything else). A dream of mine is to eventually own a Willys jeep though I have to learn to drive stick first.
Thank you very much and I look forward to meeting everyone.
