Interpreters in the Military Encampment dress in full uniform and recreate a military camp complete with more than 20 original Jeeps from the 1940s.

Julius Lorentzen is just like any other Jeep guy. He owns them. He drives them. He drools over them.

Yet, few have gone as far as he has.

After months upon months of planning, he and a few friends set out upon an extraordinary journey in 2019. This journey was the same one that many young men took over 75 years ago. The destination?

Normandy.

It was 1944. World War II. Supreme Allied Commander Dwight Eisenhower and British General Bernard Montgomery needed a way to penetrate the aggressive Nazi German lines, who had scampered across France all the way to the sea and were threatening to siege Great Britain.

As the Allies scoured for ideas, Eisenhower and Montgomery envisioned a daring plan. Across a 60-mile stretch of French coastline in the Normandy region, five beaches — Juno, Sword, Gold, Utah and Omaha — were potential vulnerabilities in the German defense.

So, they went for it. In what turned out to be the largest invasion by sea ever, thousands of America, British and Canadian soldiers, hundreds of ships and land craft, countless planes and paratroopers, and of course, more Jeeps than you could imagine, stormed the beaches in the name of freedom on D-Day.

The price was costly. It was paid in blood. But as the smoke cleared, the job was done and Jeeps began to roll across France.Back at the beaches, humble crosses were erected to pay tribute to thousands of young men who paid the ultimate price. They still stand today in humble solitude on the graves of those men. Lorentzen went to see for himself, and he took something special with him.In 2019, Lorentzen, along with his pals Bill Burris and Eric Jarvis, each shipped their 1942 military Jeeps to England to celebrate the 75th anniversary of D-Day. Lorenzten, who also sent his Jeep to the 60th anniversary celebration in 2006, along with Burris and Jarvis, later flew to England and traveled to France, retracing the steps of the Allied forces and taking in the historic sights and sounds along the way.For 26 days, the Jeeps and their occupants were decked out in period correct uniform and presentation. After exploring southern England, the trio of Jeeps made their way to the city of Portsmouth, a key departure point for the Allies on the famous morning. The international ferry, bound for the Caen region of France, was filled to the brim with Jeeps, trucks and people from the entire world who came to mark the occasion. Both in England and in France, Lorentzen felt the magnitude of the celebration.“The roads were choked with World War II Jeeps and trucks of all kinds of scription from probably a dozen or two nations easily,” Lorenzten recalled. “We talked to people from Portugal, Spain, Germany, Norway, Italy, Great Britain, France, Belgium: you name it.”

From driving on Omaha Beach and watching historical reenactments of parachute drops and flyovers to exploring the cities and towns dotting the French countryside, Lorentzen remains very proud to have witnessed the milestone event, especially as it may be the last for any living veteran from that day.But driving 75-year-old American vehicles around Europe for almost a month might take its toll on man and machine. Lorentzen was very proactive to remain prepared if something were indeed to break.“We brought spare ignition points, bottles of oil, additives for the gasoline, tools, spare inner tubes for the tires, nuts and bolts for things that might come loose,” Lorentzen said. “We didn't have any issues, thank goodness. A few minor things, but nothing we couldn't figure out and get by with.”Lorentzen's expedition is one of his greatest Jeep memories, and one can tell how passionate he is about war era Jeeps just by listening to him speak. This year at Bantam, you will have that opportunity.Lorentzen will be giving a special presentation detailing his incredible trip. You can hear him speak at 1 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. With thousands of photographs, war era Jeep artifacts, and Lorentzen's infectious energy, you will not want to miss it.

Although the American Bantam Car Company invented it, the United States military envisioned it.After responding to the military's call to automotive manufacturers for a light duty mobile vehicle for World War II, Bantam's Jeeps were immediately put into wartime use. Effective those vehicles were, they stormed across beaches, climbed mountains and drove out oppression across Europe. Since then, this vehicle the military envisioned has become an icon, both in military and civilian use.The Bantam Military Encampment showcases the role Jeeps played in winning wars. Featuring period correct Jeeps, armament, surplus and uniformed reenactors from the First Frontier Mechanized Cavalry (FFMC), 28th division/1-110th RCT/K Company, and First of the Seventh Cavalry, this exhibit will truly make you feel like your walking through an actual war-time encampment.“We are living history,” said Patrick Henry Nicholson, commander of the FFMC. “We want to show what military life was like back during the wars, and everything is authentic.”Randy Kief from the 28th division of the 110th K-Company truly believes the exhibit is a great educational opportunity for generations to come.

“We truly are living history,” Kief said. “Once we are there, we dress the part, we act the part, we use all the proper equipment. It's just like what a soldier would be.”Festivalgoers will be able to see how the military ate, slept and perform daily duties including flagraisings and gun salutes. Of course, there will be no shortage of vehicles.“There are probably 20 Jeeps and other vehicles there as well,” Nicholson said. “There are half-ton trucks, three-quarter-ton trucks, two and half ton trucks. We have armored vehicles we bring that are four-wheel drive. We even have a light tank.”