Dracul
Master sergeant
Posts: 1,341
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Post by Dracul on Dec 28, 2014 15:24:20 GMT -5
I'm creating this in hopes to unite and assist any WWII airsofters in the Maryland area and to update those who might be interested when and where we are going to play next.
This isn't a strict team idea. This isn't "101st Airborne US Army" or "9th Panzer Grenadier" specific or whatever. My ideal is to promote WWII airsofting in general.
Most of the games we will be going to will just be the weekend, walk on games. So, unless there is a specific WWII event game, like the recent Battle of the Bulge at OXCC, any impression from any force is good to go in my book.
I guess I have to talk about Uniform regulations. For Germans, I'm going to get flamed for this, I am lax when it comes to uniform authenticity. The legit stuff is expensive, but as long as you put effort into the general look and you upgrade your stuff as time goes by, I'll be happy. If you need help sewing on insignia, or swapping out buttons, or just trying to make post war blouses look more correct, I can do that for anyone for a small fee.
For the US, there is NO reason why not to have a good basic impression in this area. Full Metal Jacket surplus in Alexandria, VA, easily accessible on the blue/yellow lines of DC Metro, has HBT top and bottoms for 10 bucks each, and a good amount of M1 Helmets! Ranger Surplus in Rockville, Md has US Ike Jackets for 25 bucks and Korean War wool pants for 10 or 15 bucks. Not the best for a general US impression, but its better than using completely out of era. Gear wise, they have Garand cartridge belts, canteen pouches (I don't think they have the metal ones, but the pouches fit the Vietnam era ones just fine), and M1 ammo bags. So, for about 50 bucks, you can get yourself started well off with the gear. If you need a bag, to carry extra stuff in the field, they got some chintzy "vintage" canvas messenger bags as a decent mock up as well. So, between the two places alone, you can get yourself a good starter impression for about 100-120 bucks.
I have some loaner gear for both US and Germans, and I'm slowly building loaner kits and weapons. If you want to borrow anything, post in response to any game announcement I'm going to make here. I don't have THAT much stuff at the moment, but I don't expect to have Black Friday level lines of potential players asking to borrow stuff. This is going to start out small, and hopefully when it starts getting bigger, I'll have more loaner stuff. With that said, don't rely on me loaning full uniforms every single time. Especially if there is multiple people who want to try out WWII airsofting. The idea is to loan out kits to those who want to try it out, if you like it after using a loaner kit once or twice, start looking into getting your own stuff, and let others have the same chance as you did.
So far, we got two main teams down here in MD. My team in the Laurel area, and another awesome group of guys in the Bel Air area.
That is pretty much all I got for now. I don't have anything really planned in the near future in this area, since the NY Battle of Bulge is happening and the focus will be on that. If for some reason, that kicks the bucket again, the Bel Air guys and us had an idea of just doing a get together game in spirit.
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Dracul
Master sergeant
Posts: 1,341
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Post by Dracul on Dec 29, 2014 14:54:58 GMT -5
(Second post reserved for potential pictures of loaner kits or whatever else I might need to put in)
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Post by doldek on Jan 5, 2015 12:27:15 GMT -5
I have been out of the seen for awhile but so close to home I gotta jump on this when and where do you guys play
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Dracul
Master sergeant
Posts: 1,341
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Post by Dracul on Jan 5, 2015 13:06:30 GMT -5
Thats why this thread was created. To let others know just that.
Right now, we don't think we will play locally this month. Since the NY Battle of the Bulge is still happening. We are going to put our efforts and logistics towards that.
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Post by doldek on Jan 5, 2015 13:37:16 GMT -5
Ok I will be up and running next month gotta break out my stuff from the garage I have a full american kit and 1/4 of a german kit good to know some local guys doing this now
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CactusDivision
Private
Pvt. 103d Infantry Division 410th Regiment HQ. Company Intelligence and Recon Platoon
Posts: 43
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Post by CactusDivision on Jan 10, 2015 13:24:24 GMT -5
I had really gotten out of ww2 airsoft ing, and into reenacting full time FORTHE last 5-6 years, but im located in clarksville. I've got numerous full impressions. Pm me, I'm a bit interested is starting back up
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Post by LϟϟAH1944 on Jan 11, 2015 0:44:43 GMT -5
Hey cactus, you do blankfire as well? PM me.
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Post by soldierthrutime on Feb 1, 2015 1:17:55 GMT -5
I'm between Annapolis and Baltimore. Between my two sons and I, we have a small arsenal of modern airsoft guns; but I'm more interested in the WW2 era equipment I grew up around. I have solid connections at Replay Airsoft Arena in Glen Burnie as well as Pasadena Paintball Park, so it would be easy to host events in our area. As far as kit goes, I think I'll focus on building Resistance Fighters first, as they are more versatile in scenerios and better fit my experiance and personality.
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Dracul
Master sergeant
Posts: 1,341
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Post by Dracul on Feb 5, 2015 23:18:41 GMT -5
This past weekend, Soldierthrutime and I (and his group) played at Pasadena Paintball Park in Curtis Bay. I would have announced it, but because the field didn't open up for airsoft just yet, I didn't want the word to get out or whatever.
The field is pretty good, pretty lax on eye pro as well. Perfectly fine with just safety glasses. They will open up soon for airsofting. So, next time I'm free for it, I'll announce it.
With that said though, at the end of this month, the wife and I are heading to Seattle for some leave. So, I don't think anything will happen on my end for a bit.
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Post by soldierthrutime on Feb 6, 2015 16:48:24 GMT -5
Pasadena Paintball Park will host AirSoft, the first and third Sunday of every month. If I can get a large enough head-count, it would be no problem running themed weekends for larger events, complete with 2.5-ton truck and tentage. I can put together some MEAN scenarios... Anyone want to recon for a reported 88 position; find, assault and over-run the enemy; search them for Intel; and detonate satchel charges as you pull back off of the Objective under the cover of smoke? **DISCLOSURE: I don't work for Pasadena Paintball Park or Paintball Sports and Supply. I am a retired Soldier that offered to set up AirSoft games after playing paintball there a couple of times, in order to give my kids and me more variety in play. We all paid the same admission.** The PPP Field is at the end of Carbide Road, Curtis Bay, MD. The field we reserved is clean (not sloppy with paint) heavily wooded 400'x700' area with sparse brush thickets and a large one-room castle in the middle. Last weekend, the manager said the field would cost $20 a day, and they would supply 2,000 rounds of .20 Bio BBs. (I have to check on those numbers.) Best Advice: Walk-up, register, get loaner gear, and then get your guns/gear out of your carriers. Insurance requires empty magazine wells and muzzle-bags between your car and the actual field, and everyone on-field wear wrap-around eye-pro, Under 18 have to wear full face... but they have loaner masks/muzzlebags at Registration and we will have time on the field to load/unload magazines. www.paintballsportsandsupply.comThe PS&S Pro Store (3020 Mountain Road, Pasadena, MD (410) 439-0039) has great paintball service, but had very little AirSoft stuff. They said they would remedy that quickly.
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Dracul
Master sergeant
Posts: 1,341
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Post by Dracul on Mar 16, 2015 21:00:02 GMT -5
Alright guys. Sorry for the lack of updates here, but I have something! Sorry that its kind of last minute, but I just learned of this recently as well. OXCC, Outdoor Extreme Chesapeake City, is hosting another huge Milsim game. "Operation: Patriot Rising" Not WWII related at all, and in all honesty, the scenario is a something that not even video games or hollywood would come up with. ALAS, I will show up in WWII kit regardless! You know what, its hard to even type this out without breaking into laughter... The scenario is Canada is invading America..... Yeah.... I don't know what to say either.... So, the factions that are set up and to join are general Canadian Military VS the US National Guard and Civilians. Canada is allowed to wear OD, Three color woodland, MARPAT, and of course CADPAT (to anyone who actually has it). National Guard is allowed to wear Multicam and ACU/UCP, while Civilians are not allowed to wear OD, or any camouflage pattern what so ever (a lot are going for the PMC look) Now that the bat-s**t insane part is out of the way! I'm going to be joining "Canada" with a Commonwealth impression, Scottish Black Watch! Wife might make it, but she wants to wear modern kit this time around. I will have at least one SAS loaner kit available, maybe two. Registration is 45 online, 55 walk on. Its going to be a day long event. Real proper, every gun gets chrono'd, a lot of big boy stuff like Baofang and other professional grade radios. I'm expecting 200-250, maybe more attendees. Link to OXCC's event page: oxcc.com/events/?event_id1=39OXCC's registration page (Nat'l Guard is sold out apparently): oxcc.com/operation-patriot-rising/Side note. I'm sorry that this isn't a WWII themed event like their last big milsim game (hence why I'm not posting it in the event sections). If anything, me being there will promote WWII airsofting in general. Hell, if anyone wants to rent my German stuff and join the "Canadian Faction", I highly doubt anyone is going to care. Honestly, at this point, its safe to say that any sort of reality has been thrown out the window anyway.
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Dracul
Master sergeant
Posts: 1,341
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Post by Dracul on Mar 16, 2015 21:44:56 GMT -5
Sorry for the posting being so close to my last one.
Okay, so, update that changes things about idea of factions.
Soldierthrutime talked with OXCC about WWII impression under "Civilian" faction. They are allowing WWII impressions to be under the Civilian Faction. They didn't say much restriction on that. HOWEVER, I'd imagine joining the Civilians with a WWII Canadian impression or any impression that emphasizes camo patterns or OD, will be problematic. So, even doing US, might cause problems, unless you are wearing something thats not OD, like Jump Jackets and Trousers, or anything mustard colored.
Soldierthrutime said, if he and his group make it, he will be doing his WWII stuff under Civilians. If he does so, I'll be joining him and be wearing my Wehrmacht impression.
Reality has been definitely stepped out the door, and screwed the pooch....
BIG UPDATE: I won't be able to make it due to transportation issues. I am going to try to get things going again and get local games going in the next few weeks.
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Dracul
Master sergeant
Posts: 1,341
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Post by Dracul on Nov 10, 2015 13:21:48 GMT -5
Sorry for the lack of updates on my end here. I'm still trying to get complete loaner kits set up for both sides. Going to still take me a bit.
As for events, sorry for last minute updates, I only learned of the main event yesterday.
This saturday, my small group os going to a walk on game at OXCC in WWII impressions. Primarily US kits. Afterwards, some of us are heading to the National Guard Armory in Bel Air for a 100 year celebration. Its from 7pm to 10pm. I've been invited to attend as a reenactor and to bring along other US WWII guys. ONLY US, as this is a Nat'l Guard celebration, not a living history/blank fire/airsoft game. We are probably going to be a "display" ourselves. They will have actual Garands and other live era firearms and maybe a Willies Jeep. Airsoft guns, as props, will be good to go, just have a gun bag with you to transport the guns from you car to the inside.
With that said though, the Celebration is going to require of high levels of authenticity for the impressions.
The before hand game's authenticity standards will be more lax and whatever WWII impressions are good to go, but the Celebration is US only and high authenticity standards.
Comment or PM me if you are planning on to go to either of them.
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Navy Doc
Private
Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!
Posts: 38
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Post by Navy Doc on Nov 10, 2015 13:48:10 GMT -5
I'm one of the players on Dracul's team: the night before, we can house 3-4 players in our apartment for the sake of convenience, but it's going to be first-come, first-serve.
If anyone needs to carpool, my car can comfortably seat 4, but passengers will need to pitch a few dollars in for gas.
Rough itinerary: arrive Friday night, go out for breakfast, arrive at OXCC by 9 am. I encourage people to pack their own rations, and if you play to the end of the day or join us for the Celebration, we'll likely get dinner out in town.
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Post by soldierthrutime on Nov 11, 2015 6:41:37 GMT -5
I really wish I could join you, but I'll be teaching boy scouts how to build shelter out of forest debris, at a FALLOUT-themed campout.
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Post by soldierthrutime on Nov 11, 2015 6:52:57 GMT -5
Has anyone visited RePlay or Passadena Paintball, lately? I haven't played since I jacked-up my knee this summer, but both managers called to say they have greatly improved their arena/field. PPS said they added sandbags and stuff to their park, for a more historical/military feel, and RePlay just said i HAD to check out what they'd done to the place (nfi). Has anyone seen either?
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Dracul
Master sergeant
Posts: 1,341
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Post by Dracul on Nov 11, 2015 16:38:48 GMT -5
I haven't played any walk-on games for a long time here in MD. I've been busy with setting up loaner kits and other hobbies.
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Dracul
Master sergeant
Posts: 1,341
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Post by Dracul on Nov 15, 2015 10:01:46 GMT -5
Both events yesterday was pretty good and fun. Don't have any pics of the airsoft portion, but that might be a "maybe" I don't know if OXCC was taking pictures while the games were going on. They usually take a few days to post their pics. But, definitely got pictures of the 100 year anniversary at the Bel Air National Guard Armory. All four of us: Willies Jeep, still operational: I'm actually in this one: These two were local Cops, the two that invited us: Final shot of all four of us in front of the Local WWI Volunteers monument
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Nov 15, 2015 14:58:42 GMT -5
Nice! The impressions have come a long way since your group was first initiated.
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Dracul
Master sergeant
Posts: 1,341
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Post by Dracul on Nov 16, 2015 15:13:44 GMT -5
Thanks! Its been a slow process with everything else going on, but its getting there!
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Dracul
Master sergeant
Posts: 1,341
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Post by Dracul on Nov 23, 2015 13:28:14 GMT -5
Alright Maryland Area! Just like last December, OXCC is having their yearly Battle of the Bulge! Saturday, December 19th! This is not a pure immersion event and the name is only in name. However, I greatly encourage any WWII kits to show up. Don't know what side I'll be joining yet, but I'll have loaner kits for both sides. I'm leaning more towards Germans. Last year there was plenty of Allied kits, but no WWII Germans. The Bel Air team is going to be Allies this time as well. I'm not giving this a full event thread this time, since this is rather close to the Battle of Aachen and I rather see more support in general for that than this here. If anyone is traveling from out of state and wants to check it out, I do live 1.5 hours away and wouldn't mind hosting a few guys for the weekend. I'd also be down for a group pitch-in for a nearby hotel for Friday night. All the info on time, address, registration/pre-reg is all here: oxcc.com/events/?event_id1=66www.facebook.com/events/1653206858270323/OXCC puts on pretty good huge games and is organized well. Despite other players at time, I have fun at their vast field. Again, with this being close to Battle of Aachen, and not a full immersion thing, I don't expect a big turnout. If you find yourself that you can go to either one or the other, and need help deciding, I'll give you the answer right here: Go to Battle of Aachen.
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Dracul
Master sergeant
Posts: 1,341
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Post by Dracul on Dec 15, 2015 9:43:18 GMT -5
Probably the last update I'll post here BEFORE this weekend's game at OXCC. I'm switching over to German side of things. Unfortunately, it only looks like it will be two of us actually in WWII German kits. Oh well though, as long we have a presence and make the niche known.
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Post by soldierthrutime on Dec 15, 2015 13:03:48 GMT -5
Al, I hope you aren’t going far. You are a great source of intel and inspiration, and you look almost as good in a skirt as I do.
In other news....
I haven't taken a walk with a gun in my hand since late-Summer, and I want to shoot things. Both of my boys (12 and 14 yo) are getting WW2 guns for Xmas, and my 17yo daughter wouldn't mind playing again, too. The littlest *really* wants to play, but she is still too small. I'm still cheap and/or broke, but local $20-a-day games are well within budget.
RePlay Airsoft, in Glen Burnie: I visited for the first time since summer 2015. Chris (the owner) is a great guy, the staff is like a large family, and they building has a bunch of new features: two one-story ramps, a "sniper's nest", a fastrope, a rappelling/climbing wall, a concert-quality light system, more sound effects, and lots of crates to hide behind. The only drawback (for me, personally) is that it still feels like a 50' x 100' warehouse. Breaking it up into a cubicle-farm would make it MUCH more interesting, but could be *very* bad PR with so many school/workplace shootings. (A Sci-Fi theme is politically safe, but has been overdone by the Laser Tag circuit.) Vehicle mock-ups could make it look like a motor pool or airplane hangar, and building flats could make it into an urban sprawl, but it would need considerable effort/resources to make it fit a WW2 scenario. It's a great place to practice CQB. And they are open Fri-Sat-Sun and almost every night of the week!
Pasadena Paintball Park: I've been told that they added sandbags and stuff to one of their fields, but I haven't seen it yet. The far field was a lot of fun with Al and my kids, but we needed more shooters out there. The manager (Keith) said that their walk-on game still hadn't picked up yet, but I think they would take good care of us as a team. If anyone has feedback (positive or otherwise) we could pass it straight to the guy who runs the field and staff.
Scenario Planning: I posted my Battle of the Bulge wargame idea, which was admittedly way off-mark. The feedback was understandable; I need to participate in a few large events. Now I understand a bit more about the small-scale immersive games that participants (you and I) are looking for. To support the game, the fields and the players, I have a plan to build some large props (interactive scenery?) that could be used at multiple sites by multiple clubs. Best of all, Chris has almost unlimited free storage! All I need is a couple of industrious individuals and a schedule.
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Dracul
Master sergeant
Posts: 1,341
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Post by Dracul on Dec 23, 2015 18:00:30 GMT -5
So, here is my after action report regarding OXCC Battle of the Bulge 2015. The game was alright, it just felt like a bigger walk on game at any given airsoft field. They didn't push any effort at all to make it any sort of immersive, and actually did some things to make it even less immersive. Long story short, they were really pushing for the whole tan vs green thing with uniforms, and they threatened to switch guys over to the other side, even if it was an impression of sorts. Which is Guy on a short bused. However, despite the lack of effort or care from the organizers, there was still some effort from the players. I saw a few US Airborne impressions and a group of guys that threw together "thrift store" US impressions with whatever M1 Helmets and WWII airsoft guns they could get a hold of. Not bashing them, I think the fact they put some effort into this for the immersion of a WWII themed game was commendable to say the least. German side, there was only me and a buddy in WWII kit, unfortunately. What did bother me though was the fact that some of the other players, on the German side, didn't recognize our impressions and some even shot at us! I even witnessed this exchange of words: To his team leader "Why is wearing green if he is on the German side?" Team leader, "because he is wearing a WWII German uniform, dumba**! You can tell by the helmet!" The guy who asked the question was not some kid either... Despite all of this, anyone in a WWII impression that day was well received. I remember a lot of people asking for photographs and really liking the kits. And despite the other small gripes, it was still a fun airsoft day! Me and the guys, after the game:
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Dracul
Master sergeant
Posts: 1,341
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Post by Dracul on Feb 9, 2016 17:54:59 GMT -5
Alright pictures eventually came in from OXCC/Patriot Armory. I know I've been away, but these guys took a long while themselves to get these uploaded. Your's truly. My buddy, in one of my loaner kits. And here is some of aforementioned American reenactors. As I said before, not the best, but I praise them for actually trying to go with the theme. That is all I can really ask for.
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Dracul
Master sergeant
Posts: 1,341
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Post by Dracul on Jun 14, 2016 8:46:28 GMT -5
Quick update. I'm planning on going to a walk-on game sometime in July. Won't be during the next big North East event that's supposed to be in late July.
Field wise I was thinking about Paintball Adventure Park, in Taneytown, MD. Went there before and was a pretty good field. Since this is just a walk-on, there isn't an overall theme or game. We will be there in assorted WWII impressions.
If you are interested in joining us, let me know. Also, if you need gear, uniform, weapon, I got loaner stuff from all over, so let me know ahead of time.
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Dracul
Master sergeant
Posts: 1,341
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Post by Dracul on Jun 15, 2016 7:23:37 GMT -5
With the date set in stone for the big NE, Battle of St. Lo, I will now set the walk on day on the 23rd of July. Same place.
This will give anyone going to The Battle of St. Lo a chance to test out guns and gear and make sure everything is good to for the following weekend.
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Dracul
Master sergeant
Posts: 1,341
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Post by Dracul on Jul 18, 2016 12:19:19 GMT -5
We've had some of our players needing to drop from this weekend, so I'm thinking about cancelling this weekend (if anyone was actually interested). If you still are, let me know and I will try to make it myself.
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Dracul
Master sergeant
Posts: 1,341
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Post by Dracul on Feb 8, 2017 9:30:01 GMT -5
US Marylanders are planning a walk-on game on Sun, Feb 26 at Paintball Adventure Park in Taneytown, MD. We might have some out of town WWII players joining us, too.
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Post by manualman on Feb 9, 2017 20:16:17 GMT -5
I'll see if I can make it. I guess it's 3 to 3 1/2 hrs from North Jersey
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