Military Tourism
Throughout history warriors have revisited the sites of famous battles, to reminisce and tell tales of their victories. Today millions of people around the world visit sites of battles, old forts and castles, and special places where the outcome of wars were influenced. In the UK Bletchley Park is a good example of a famous battle, where not a drop a blood was shed, yet where major victories were won.
The many displays at Bletchley Park recreate the breaking of the Enigma codes, and others of the German war machine, and helping win the Second World War. For decades clouded in absolute secrecy the mystique and story behind what was essentially a huge administration and clerical operation adds to the value of visitors. By itself it would be a huge sprawling complex of decaying structures and neglected building. What happened there is the key to its value as a tourist site.
Historic sites that have value as Military Tourism sites are usually associated with a great battle, or place of suffering. They usually are places that had a pivotal effect on the history of a nation, although occasionally they came too late to be part of history and are just large impressive structures built by the military. The massive forts being restored around the world qualify as places of interest for military tourist, yet many never fired a shot in anger.
In the United States millions flock to visit the old sites from the Civil War, or the Revolutionary Wars. Many of these sites are being restored and form part of a reconstructed network of sites, after being neglected, often destroyed over the years. This is George Washington's HQ at Valley Forge. Compare that to the size of today's military HQ of the Pentagon, and you see how military sprawl grows.
Many fine forts exist along the coast, and finally the tourism value of structures, even from WWII is being realized. Unfortunately sites of military heritage will still be bulldozed to make way for yet another strip shopping mall.
Many of the key Civil War sites are home to groups of re enactors, who restage the famous battles, dressed in authentic uniforms and with authentic weapons. I have always wondered what it is like when you play the Confederate General to constantly lose the battle every Saturday, with no historical chance of ever winning it.
Yet it is the military sites across Europe that attract most visitors, especially around Normandy, the site of the D-Day landings. As retired soldiers and sailors finally realize what may be their last chance to show their wives, and children where they did their bit to defeat Nazi Germany the popularity of returning to sites of definitive battles is increasing. Concrete structures that were once regarded as eyesores are now being seen as tourist monuments, and preserved.
Some may consider this revisiting of sites of death and destruction to be macabre, but you had to be there to appreciate having the ability to criticize them, for had they not stood and fought nobody would be able to criticize. For freedom has a price, and must be respected.