Living history: Seward begins Independence Day events

Seward kicked off their Independence Day celebration with living history. Many people gathered at the Nebraska National Guard Museum to see reenactment actors.

Gib Buckbee portrayed famous World War II veteran, George Patton. He is one of two in the country that have permission of the Patton family to dress up as the veteran and play the character. Buckbee says history is whats most important here. History forgotten is history doomed to be repeated.

"If we forget what happened and we don’t pay attention to what happened in the past, we will repeat the mistakes that happened in the past," said Buckbee

Another General in attendance was John Pershing. This actor, David Shuey, is from Pennsylvania. He said he is happy to be back for his second year in Seward.

"I entertain while I educate and it’s just my way of finding an audience whose interested in the same things that I am and keeping the story of Pershing and whats great about America alive and well."

The last of the 3 living histories was President Teddy Roosevelt who was played by Josef Otmar.

Otmar says, "It truly is a pleasure to portray a true America."

Several people had the opportunity of asking these three history figures about their lives. Jeff Henry drove 5 and a half hours for Seward’s Fourth of July events.

He said seeing the reenactments was a great way to start off the festivities.

"Once again, they had the characterizations down so well and they know there way through the history of those characters, very interesting to listen too."

This was only the start to Seward’s Independence Day celebration as the events at the museum continue through the 4th.

A  new interactive room worth close to $175,000 will be unveiled to the public 9 a.m. on Wednesday. The room is called, ‘I Am the Guard.’