Teen reenactor dead - alcohol involved

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

I'm posting this link, even though it involves War of 1812 reenacting -
http://www.wivb.com/dpp/news/niagara...teen%27s-death
Many of us have seen underaged drinking at reenactments, and here are the sad consequences.

[TheColorBearer]

I'm posting this link, even though it involves War of 1812 reenacting -
http://www.wivb.com/dpp/news/niagara...teen%27s-death
Many of us have seen underaged drinking at reenactments, and here are the sad consequences.

The people involved are from Canada. They drink at an early age in Canada.

[lincolnsguard]

They drink at an early age in Canada.


That don't make it smart, or right.

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

The people involved are from Canada. They drink at an early age in Canada.

WOW. Are you kidding? That was incrediblly callous, and ill-informed. The legal drinking age in Ontario is actually 19, but since this happened in the United States in the state of New York its still 21.

[flattop32355]

Until the results of the autopsy, plus the police report, are known, we're premature and just speculating on cause of death. Let's put this on hold until the facts are all in. Then we can be certain that we're aiming at the right cause/causes, with the appropriate warnings and lessons learned.

[Rob Weaver]

That there was a death involved in our hobby is simply tragic. Regardless of circumstances. That's heartbreaking.

[gwagner]

How sad...very sad.

[easttnfed]

If it was underaged drinking, then we are all guilty of seeing it and not doing anything about it. Event staff and organizers need to be a little more strict on stuff in that nature and I know that with 300+ reenactors at some of these events it will be hard for everyone to keep this from happening. Heck, I was guilt of drinking at an early age at them and no one would say anything but "I'll keep an eye on you." or "I think that is enough for tonight, you've had plenty". It is very sad that someone passed away in the reenacting world. No one wants to hear that someone in our brotherhood has passed especially at a young age. Anyone not sympathetic about this is not human.

[CameronsHighlander]

Im actually suprised it doesn't happen more often. This falls onto everyone who saw it and did nothing to stop it. And this goes when you go to a different state, Country what have you you fall under the laws of said Area therefore if it is determined that the Alchole was the cause it will be questioned who gave him the stuff that will fall on their heads and in the end the event could end up never happening again. Im 31 been in the hobby since I was 15 didn't drink then and dont drink now in part because 90% of the reenactments take place from May 1 - October 1 when its hot and Soda and Alchole dehydrate so I dont touch the stuff.

[hanktrent]

Im actually suprised it doesn't happen more often. This falls onto everyone who saw it and did nothing to stop it.

How does an "outsider" stop it, though? In my experience, people who are into drinking at events are really into it, and will defend it pretty angrily and vigorously, even when sober. It's what the hobby is all about to them. So I don't mess with them and just let them do their thing, because I've had nothing but bad experiences even hinting that maybe focussing a little less on booze would be good.

I can't imagine any way for an outsider on his own to stop people giving alcohol to minors, due to that attitude, especially since there's no way to know for sure if someone who looks underage is underage. If you ask, he'll lie, or those around him will lie.

So let's say a reenactor sees a bunch of drunks at an event, whom he doesn't know, and some of them look borderline underage. What the heck could he do, without getting himself unwelcome at the event or worse?

And don't say, tell the organizers or officers--lots of times they're included.

Hank Trent
hanktrent@gmail.com