Many kids who grew up in the ‘60s spent their days playing with the popular action figure “G.I. Joe.” Some of those same kids — now as grown-ups — are still playing a military role, but today find themselves as the real-life action figures.
They’re part of the Second Infantry Division, 38th Regiment. About fifty men and women congregate from throughout the state to present six to seven major 3D experiences of World War II to the Florida public and out of state. Their aim is to further explore their interest in World War II and pay tribute to the soldiers.
Most of the members come from Palm Beach, Broward andMiami-Dade counties but some live as far north as Jacksonville. Garcia said the average member age is 35 to 40 years old, and many of them have enticed their children to get involved.
“None of our members fought during World War II,” said Ben Garcia, president of the Second Infantry. “Our upbringing got us interested in the history. My dad was in the Merchant Marines, I heard him tell stories, and he was a big collector. I got interested in firearms and wet gear. If you ask most kids in school these days, they don’t know much [about World War II]. We keep the memory alive and show them what it was like.”
