From left, Robert Kercher, Sheila Kercher, Michael Wilson and Randal Kercher are colonial military reenactors. It is their second year reenacting in Seward on July 4.
Summer can be a scorching time of year. Now imagine tolerating the weather while wearing an American Colonial military costume in nearly 100 degree weather.
The wool military coat, uniform, boots and tricorn hat top it off.
That’s how Nebraska National Guard members Robert Kercher, Randal Kercher, Erik Singsaas and Michael Wilson spent their July 4 in Seward. Robert Kercher even brought his 14-year-old daughter, Sheila Kercher, with him to reenact women in war.
The five portrayed a state militia, which is what Congress initially authorized the states to create. It is the second year they have reenacted in Seward. Their costumes and equipment are handmade replicas. They make most of their items themselves.
Collectively, there are eight colonial reenactors, all volunteers, who are also members of the Nebraska National Guard.
“We’re doing it because we are all history enthusiasts,” Wilson said. “It’s a time period that’s very exciting.”
The colonial reenactors set up colonial war room replicas on July 4 outside by the Nebraska National Guard Museum. The rooms are tents, just how they were during colonial times. Fighting soldiers were always on the move, so tents ensured portability.
Inside the tents were replicas of how to distinguish the rank of someone in the military during these times. For example, higher ranking officials had portable beds and other items not found in other soldiers’ tents.
The clothing colors of this unit were blue with a red facing. Higher ranking officials had elaborate uniforms, while lower-ranking combat soldiers wore their regular clothes. The colonial drummers were noncombatants, so they wore reverse colors, red with a blue facing, to show their status and hopefully, prevent enemy soldiers from shooting at them.
“The drummer was an important part of the military,” Singsaas said.
The drum cadences signaled when to retreat or when to turn, he said.
Sheila Kercher represented women in war. The Revolutionary War saw many women march off to war alongside their husbands. They took caregiving, cooking and nursing roles.
“Women were the backbone during the war,” she said. “But a lot of depictions don’t actually include them.”
The colonial reenactors are always looking for new members and ways to grow. For more information, contact the Nebraska National Guard Museum at (402) 309-8763. You do not need to be a member of the Nebraska National Guard to join.
“Our mission is to teach about the American Revolutionary War and that time period,” Wilson said.
