Letter to the Editor

Dear Editor
(with my compliments),
This is a response to Conrad Bascom’s “Civil War reenactment conjures past” article, Sept. 12, 2018, edition. Thank you for participating at our Press Booth. The article’s cynical phrasing, which should be used in investigative reporting, will be a “good shot” discussion piece around campfires in 2019. It is a challenging write-up that ultimately reveals the hard work and camaraderie of the re-enactors.
Two corrections: Civil War reenactments are organizations for teaching history. Mr. Bascom reported that it was “a mass of grown men and young boys playing at war,” and this is a common mistake. The regional Mason City event itself, is a robust ghost of the old Civil War veteran’s reunions. Also, “Xander Drax” is Mark Smith, committee member and editor of the camp newspaper, “The Sentinel.” Given our quick exchanges that day, I understand Conrad’s thinking ‘twere me.
Akin to many Civil War army movements, I was concerned that Lake Mills may not arrive. To see Bascom’s approach was the calvary coming over the hill—in the literary sense. Thank you for your fun work, Conrad, and thank you to our host, editor Sherylee Gasper, the Graphic and crew, and welcome Lake Mills area, 2019 (and 2020 as Next Year’s Event Committee is already ‘after it’) with invitation to you all–hurrah.
Dugan (Conrad Thompson)
Co-director protem
Mason City Annual Civil War Reenactment