When you talk to Color Sgt. Gately you first notice that he has a "different" accent than the usual Southern drawl. There's a good reason. Sheldon or KIWI as his fellow 10th members call him, is from New Zealand! He has been in the United States for about 7 years now. Sheldon was born in New Zealand in a city called Christ Church with a population of 100,000. While in the New Zealand army he achieved the rank of Lance Corporal and squad leader. Orders came to go to Bosnia. While Sheldon was waiting to ship out he was in a motorcycle accident that left him with a busted leg. After leaving the army, he then became a Police officer.
He emigrated to the United States and married one of our fine Southern women. Her interest in her family's strong Southern Heritage got Sheldon interested in the War Between the States as well. His wifes familys 5th great grandfather was General Forrests Aide-de-Camp. He and his family attended a Prairie Grove reenactment 3 years ago. That was all it took to make him just walk into the 10th ARK camp and said "aye wunna jowine up!".
When Sheldon is not Sgt KIWI, he is a truck driver for Ace hardware. As a hobby and part of his heritage, he is taking BAGPIPE lessons in Conway. He figures he will be good enough to bring it to a reenactment sometime in 2004.

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posted 10/5/03


Capt. Lynn Shackelford, TMR

Lynn was raised on a "dirt farm" in Krebbs, Oklahoma. Krebbs is in Southeastern Oklahoma near McAlester and is famous for it's Italian food. When Lynn was old enough he joined the U.S Army during the "Berlin Blockade" era. He was a combat platoon leader in OCS. He waited for the order to invade Cuba that never came. After leaving the army he graduated from East Central in Ada. He then spent 22 years in the Air National Guard and retired as a LtCol.

Lynn first got into reenacting back in 1988. His first event was Honey Springs. He fell in with the 3rd LA Co B...the unit he is Capt of now... also know as the Trans-Mississippi Rifles. Capt Shackelford has held many positions in reenacting...Battalion Color Sgt., Battalion SgtMjr and first Sgt with the TMR. He has been their Captain for 3 years.

One of Lynn's interests is making his own equipment. He has made some really great looking authentic kepis, flags and clothing items. NOTE: he only sews for himself though.

He has been married since 1965 and has 2 grown children, a boy and a girl.

Lynn's proudest achievement is the TMR color Guard. The Color Guard is an elite, highly trained group that is the focal point at such functions as ...Honey Springs Memorials, Memorial Day and Veterans Day events at the 45th Inf. Museum and the 4th of July at Edmond Liberty Fest. They have won 1st place in the Edmond Liberty Fest parade Competition 5 times and 2nd place once.

Pvt. Harold Windle, 2nd ARK

Pvt Harold Windles' first event was back in 92'. That was the Prairie Grove that had the ice storm when the tents still stood up after the poles had been removed! He was a member of the 9th ARK with David Wilson as Cpt.
Harold is one of the founding members of the2nd ARK. He and Mike Mccullah first designated their new group as the 17th ARK until they discovered in their research that he 17th was a "bad luck" company. The 17th were found to contain a lot of desertions and they suffered from measels AND they were being shipped back from somewhere and their ship capsized and they jumped into the water...on the wrong side!. SO...the 2nd ARK was found to be a better company to portray as they were out of Galla Creek and had a much better service record.
Pvt Windle is a "bench jeweler" at LeAnns in Russelville Ark. He makes those "Knights of the Golden Circle" pins that you see many wear here in the Trans-Miss area. He also makes a single and double bag canvas tarred haversack. He will perhaps offer those for sale in 2004. He always has one of the most authentic impressions I have seen.
Harold was orignally from Bartletsville in the Indian Territory. Back when the oil boom of Oklahoma went bust, Harolds dad was looking for "something not oil". Harold suggested.."how about nuclear chickens?" And the family moved to Russelville.(Russelville has a reactor and the countryside raises a lot of chickens)
Harold was injured on the field at Cane Hill 02' event. Cpt. Mccullah fell on him tearing his"ACL". He is fully recovered now and looking forward to the next CANE HILL!