From 1999 to 2002, I participate in WWII Historical Re-enactments. I own the equipment a WWII paratrooper would have jumped into Normandy or The Netherlands with during WWII, minus the rifle or carbine. When it was time for a re-enacment, I always borrowed someone else's rifle. I had a lot of fun doing this and even met some of the actual veterans who served in WWII. Because we recreated E Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th PIR, I got to meet Dick Winters, Babe Hefron, Bill Guarnere, Shifty Powers and a few others. Those guys have since passed away but it was so cool listening to them tell their stories in person.