War of 1812 - Interview Series

by Judi McWilliams

Interview with Zackery Caron (Part Two)
Re-enacting can be an expensive “hobby” as David Brunelle has mentioned. Fortunately for Zack, his teacher, Mr. Chris Robins has an ample supply of "re-enactment gear" to help the students participate fully! David Brunelle has told us, in the past, how much fun re-enacting can be for the youth of today, but I wondered if Zack actually enjoyed “the history” or “just the fun of it all”? Zack told me that he does enjoy history, but really enjoys ancient history, that being before the year 1600. We have watched Zack in full costume take the role of the “drummer” and he is good at it, (he also plays the drum set at a high skill level). “Drumming” in re-enacting for the War of 1812 is difficult. Zack tells me that the costume is hot and he can become tired by the end of the day! That doesn’t seem to discourage him from posing for the pictures that many onlookers take during these re-enactments! He would like to take the necessary courses to be able to take on other roles or re-enacting, particularly the use of the “musket”. It takes a lot of education, courses, dedication, practice and skill to be “allowed” to partake in this portion of re-enacting. He does put about one or two lunch periods per week into practicing at school during the re-enacting periods. Zack is interested but it may take some mentoring and continued effort to reach that next level. At this point, I should tell you that we have had the privilege of watching Zack “in action” on the field at a re-enactments for younger students and on a crowded beach in front of hundreds of people. We were amazed at how professional he was and how “true to character” he was. So, I asked Zack about the youth of today and him in particular. How did he do this? What mind-set was he in? Did he notice the crowds? His reply again was simple… "I don’t really try to be 'in character', it just kind of happens. When you dress up and stand and walk as a unit, it just kind of happens! And yes I did notice the crowds and at the beach re-enactment, (myself and another who were injured) were encouraged to interact with the crowd."
(To be continued)

War of 1812 - Interview Series

by Judi McWilliams

There are many amazing people connected with re-enacting and the War of 1812. The Interview Series will include talks with event organizers, re-enactors and suppliers. Our first interview is with David Brunelle. David is a re-enactor, organizer and now heads the Southern Georgian Bay War of 1812 Bicentennial Committee as Project Director.

Interview with David Brunelle (Part Two)
Without hesitation Dave replied “Sergeant James Keating” otherwise known as “One Gun Keating”. James Keating was a sergeant in the Royal Artillery. He was skilful in the handling of a British field gun forcing the Americans to surrender Fort Shelby on the upper Mississippi in July, 1814. He later became Fort Adjutant at the military base in Penetanguishene. He was a prominent figure in the community and, as a promoter of public education, he has the James Keating Public Elementary School in Penetanguishene named after him. I wondered at this point if Dave Brunelle had a nickname. As a matter of fact he does, “1812”. Anyone who knows Dave in his local community knows him just as “1812”. Dave’s football jersey number is “1812”. When signing raffle tickets at his local curling league, instead of signing his name, he just signs “1812”. Perhaps being known as “1812” is less confusing for folks in the community as there is another Dave Brunelle in town. Our Dave told me that he is known at History Dave and the other Dave Brunelle is known as Basketball Dave (as he is coach for the local team). History Dave gets cheques in the mail frequently for basketball tournaments among other mail and phone calls for Basketball Dave. One time there was a full page article in the newspaper about a basketball summer camp in town with History Dave’s photo. History Dave is tall and athletic but not the correct Dave. To this day the two Dave’s have not met. The story is funny, but what is truly apparent is how serious Dave Brunelle, “1812”, “History Dave” takes his “hobby”. I hope you get to meet up with him in the field some day! He is a very, very interesting “Character”!