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Company B, 20th Maine welcomes interested individuals
to join our ranks. Our membership comes primarily from eastern and central Maine, but we also have active members
from as far as Portland and Caribou, Maine and Moncton, New Brunswick.
We also have members living in "The County", who used to be the "Aroostook Stragglers", that join us from time to time, for
some of our more major activities.
All that is needed to join the 20th Maine is a commitment
to learn 19th century military drill, the purchase of the necessary uniform and equipment, and $20.00 yearly dues.
The drill is based on actual 19th century practices, as found in Hardee's and Casey's Tactics. As a "fresh fish", you will be given instruction in the basics, but will primarily learn by doing. Our NCO's
will help you as you drill with the veterans. Safety practices are always stressed during both drills and reenactments.
Before long, the complex, awkward movements will become natural to you. We encourage those with an interest to come
to a drill or event and try it out.
Re-enacting is not cheap. Your equipment
and uniform are all authentic reproductions and are not inexpensive. But neither is a snowmobile. This is a hobby,
and like most grown-up hobbies, you can spend a lot of money. There is the initial expense to get outfitted, there will
be traveling expenses to events, and there will always be one more item you need to purchase (it makes it easy to write a
Christmas wish-list).
Because of the expense involved, Company
B allows you two years to get all your gear, though few can stand to wait that long. |
