The 8^th annual Military History Show will take place at the Henderson-Oxford Airport Saturday, Oct. 28 and organizer Harry Coombs said he’s looking forward to another successful event during which attendees can see military hardware up close and better understand what men and women of the military may have endured during their time in combat.

Coombs said he expects a bevy of re-enactors to be on hand for the event, which takes place on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There have been re-enactors, in full military gear, from the Revolutionary War, Civil War, World Wars I and II, among others, he said on a recent TownTalk.

“It’s the same every year,” he said, “but it’s different every year,” he added, since he doesn’t always know well ahead of time exactly who is going to show up. Proceeds benefit the Granville County Veterans Affairs Committee. The airport is located at 6514 Airport Rd., just over the Granville/Vance line.

One thing that will return, he said, is the popular silent auction. Items are available for viewing during the event, and high bidders can claim a variety of items and services.

And Total Flight Solutions is back once more to provide helicopter rides – just be prepared to pay the ticket price and wait in line, Coombs said. “It’s always very popular.”

There’s no charge for admission to the event, but there is a donation bucket for anyone inclined to “throw some money into the bucket.”

And any student who may be interested in getting some community service hours is welcome to contact Coombs – there seems always to be a need for parking attendants.

Once parked, individuals can see displays of how camps may have been set up, depending on the era in which the war took place. Tents will be set up, and there will be some equipment on display. Re-enactors are available to answer questions as well.

The yellow Navy bi-plane may be on display again this year, Coombs said. A weapons demonstration will be held – firing blanks – and there could be a couple of heavy artillery pieces as well.

So whether you’re a military history buff or want to learn more about military history, mark your calendars for Saturday, Oct. 28. It promises to be an entertaining, educational event for the whole family.

To learn more, contact 919.691.7697.

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The 6^th annual military history show will take place on Saturday, Oct. 23 at the Henderson-Oxford Airport in Granville County. And coordinator Harry Coombs says it’s on track to be even bigger and better than last year, when the event netted $1,700 to benefit the local veteran’s affairs committee.

“I expect the crowds to be pretty large,” Coombs told John C. Rose on Tuesday’s Town Talk segment. The free outside event may have ebbs and flows between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., but there will be plenty for folks to see and do all day long, Coombs said.

The helicopter rides were a big hit last year, and plans are to have two choppers on hand to accommodate the crowd and keep lines short. Tickets for the helicopter ride are $40 a person, up a bit from last year’s price to offset rising fuel prices.

There are more than 70 items that are part of a silent auction, and Coombs said there is a Facebook page that has some images of the items, which range from home and garden items to a military uniform and other patriotic items. Local veteran Mike Scott has donated some handcrafted wood burnings that will be among the auction items.

The silent auction will close bids at 2 p.m. and then winners will be announced, he added.

Coombs said he has been involved in similar events before, and decided to start one himself when trying to come up with an idea that would benefit the veterans in the area. “I just wanted to do something to give back to the community in some way,” he said, adding that the airport venue was available for the first event, so he decided to stage it there.

There’s a chance that a military-colored Stearman biplane once used for military training may make an appearance, he said.

All types of military equipment will be on display, from World War I and II, and military re-enactors from the Carolinas and Virginia will be on hand representing military service from as far back as the Revolutionary War and the Civil War, he said.

Some of the re-enactors are military veterans, Coombs said, and others became interested because they had family members who served and they like to research and find out information about the military.

Coombs said the re-enactors won’t just be representing the U.S. military, but said German, British and Russian soldiers will be included in this year’s event. Although most of the uniforms are reproductions, other items that will be on display have come from various places – from the Internet and estate sales to donations from veterans themselves who brought souvenirs home when the war was over.

The airport is located at 6514 Airport Road, Oxford, NC 27565.

To learn more or to volunteer for Saturday’s event, contact Coombs via phone call or text at 919.691.7697.