I have read with great interest the lengthy dialogue on the greatest threat to reenacting. Yes, we *are* graying . . . I myself will be 59 next Saturday (but no gray yet).

But we don't need to be despairing and despondent over the incessant current of time. We only need to adapt gracefully to that which we cannot stop.

Perhaps it's time for reenacting to enter a new era -- the old soldiers' home.

We can select events at different places around the country (perhaps in towns and cities that might still have old 1890's residential areas), and convene for events. We'll sit around and reminisce about the War. For those who aren't yet comfortable with a mastery of reminiscent dialogue, they can either silently play checkers, rock on the front porch, or nap.

I suppose it does mean that the new reenacting age will at first consist mainly of EBUFUs. It will take time to swing the public away from the expectations of afternoon battles, to observing more sedentary activities on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon.

And events will of necessity be small, perhaps no more than 30 or 40 senior reenactors. I haven't thought the logistics of national events through yet.

Murray Therrell