Muster Day traces it's roots back to when Texas was still a republic.  In the early days, specifically during the civil war, on an annual basis the troops were 'mustered' or called to report.  This served two purposes.  One, to verify if the individual was still alive, and two, verify they had a weapon to fight with.

Over the years, the mustering of the troops became obsolete.  However, Camp Mabry holds on an annual basis a Muster Day where enthusiasts of all periods from the Civil War through current times can display their historical items of significance and show them to the general public.  These items include Civil War era cannons, muskets, bayonets and uniforms.  A large contingency of WWI and WWII displays are present complete with vehicles, uniforms, armor and accessories.  Yet others display their Korean, Vietnam and Desert Storm items of historical significance.

Overall, this is an excellent show to participate in or simply attend.  Nowhere in this region can you view such a time capsule of items of military significance in one location.

http://www.texasmilitaryforcesmuseum.org/

·        Muster Day, Camp Mabry (April 21-22^th)  Setup can begin at noon on Friday.  First person to arrive, check in with Jeff H at the museum.   
***Important!  All participants must register at http://www.texasmilitaryforcesmuseum.org/musterday09/index.htm. ***

   Note from Jeff H.

The dates for Muster Day / American Heroes Celebratin at Camp Mabry for 2012 are April 21-22. As usual we will have a time line of military history from the Texas Revolution forward. The museum will provide lunch and dinner on Saturday, along with breakfast and lunch on Sunday. There is no registration fee, but registration is required. The web site for the event/registration will be up sometime in early February.

This year's WWII battle will be something different. Instead of the Seigfreid Line scenario we have done for the last couple of years, we will be recreating the battle of Montelimar in September 1944, when the 36th Infantry Division almost cut off the retreat of the German 19th Army following the invasion of Southern France. This battle was a see-saw affair of attack and counterattack lasting more than a week. Eventually the Germans broke through, but only after grevious losses.

This will be a vehicle heavy event. Besides the museum's Sherman tank, M3 halftrack and Hetzer, Brent Mullins has agreed to bring his Stug III, German halftrack, M8 Armored Car and M5 Stuart. Fred Kager is also bringing his Sherman . All other Allied and Axis vehicles are encouraged -- including period civilian vehicles to take part in the German convoy. We should have the largest collection of German military vehicles ever assembled in Texas for this event.

The battlefield orientation will be north - south, instead of the east - west we have used for the last several years. The crowd will be in a totally different area, and the pond will be our stand in for the Rhone River . Infantry will fight for a crossroads village, while the armor has free roaming rights to most of the rest of the battlefield.